ScholarWorks > HHS > OT > OJOT > Vol. 14 > Iss. 3 (2026)
Credentials Display
Sharon A. Gutman, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA; Sandra Rogers, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA; Rondalyn Whitney, PhD, OTR, FAOTA
Abstract
Toxicity in the academic environment is defined as an insidious form of behavior that is characterized by overt negativity with the intent to cause harm and includes bullying, manipulation, gas lighting, discrimination, preferential treatment, and ostracization. Reasons accounting for the existence of toxicity in academia include long-standing cultural norms of competition for scarce resources, devaluing of collaboration, unrealistic workload expectations and benchmarks for success, a milieu of excessive and negative critique, low salaries and professional rewards, and a hierarchical ranking system that encourages abuse of power without consequences. The impact of toxicity in academia on occupational therapy faculty include high levels of stress, burnout, mental and physical health problems, and professional attrition. As a profession, we must ask whether we can afford to continue supporting a dysfunctional academic culture that is dismantling our professional ethos to be client-centered and to value the attributes of compassion, empathy, kindness, and collaboration. Universities must be held accountable to rehabilitate a system that has for too long normalized deleterious and deviant behavior. Proposed ideas for reform include the establishment of university guidelines, mandatory training, bi-directional yearly performance evaluations, and workplace conflict resolution offices.
Recommended Citation
Gutman, S., Rogers, S., & Whitney, R. V. (2026). Incivility and Toxicity in Occupational Therapy Academic Environments. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 14(3), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.2567
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.