Behavioral resurgence and mitigation strategies: A literature review in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis

Abstract

Behaviors that were frequent in the past, but that no longer occur, can reappear under specific conditions in the present. Behavioral resurgence is one of the experimental procedures to study the phenomenon of relapse. Due to its clinical relevance, it is extremely important to understand which variables affect its occurrence. This article aims to survey and analyze the publications made in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis between 2015 to April 2020 on resurgence, seeking to investigate the main applications of the findings of basic and applied research on this phenomenon, identifying the improvements that a behavioral in­tervention should follow to make it more effective. In general, the results suggest generalizing from the therapeutic context to the client’s natural context, prolonging the treatment gradu­ally, preparing the client for the end of treatment and teaching multiple forms of appropriate behavior. All of these factors can mitigate behavioral resurgence.