ScholarWorks > HHS > OT > OJOT > Vol. 13 > Iss. 3 (2025)
Credentials Display
Edwin Myers, OTD, OTR/L, ATP
Kaitlyn Cremer, OTD, MOT, OTR/L, SCLV, CAPS
Abstract
The prevalence of incivility and bullying in the domain of occupational therapy warrants attention. The long-term effects of incivility and bullying can be profound and multifaceted. These may include job dissatisfaction, depressive symptoms, heightened hostility, and an increased likelihood of malpractice. Despite the implications of such behavior, there remains a noticeable gap in existing literature. This study investigated the prevalence of incivility and bullying occurring during occupational therapy (OT) fieldwork. The Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised (NAQ-R) was completed by 702 occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and students regarding their fieldwork experiences. Over 80% of participants reported being exposed to bullying or incivility during their fieldwork experience, with 48.2% reported being a “victim of bullying.”
Follow-up interviews (N = 86) identified common themes including excessive monitoring of work, persistent criticism, and being ignored. Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants with fewer years of experience reported higher levels of micro-aggressive behaviors than more direct forms of bullying. This study provides valuable insight into the prevalence, experiences, and consequences of incivility in OT, highlighting the need for reform.
Recommended Citation
Myers, E., & Cremer, K. (2025). Prevalence of Incivility and Bullying in Occupational Therapy Fieldwork. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 13(3), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.2289
Comments
The authors declare that they have no competing financial, professional, or personal interest that might have influenced the performance or presentation of the work described in this manuscript.