Competence and Care: A Scoping Review Exploring the Incorporation of Compassion and Relational Skills in Applied Behavior Analysis

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) stands at an inflection point, expanding its robust technical framework to embrace the growing demand for humanization and relational excellence. This study, a scoping review, investigated the emergent integration of compassion and related relational/interpersonal skills into ABA practice, justifying its methodology by the need to map a multifaceted and rapidly evolving field. By analyzing 13 articles published between 2020 and 2024, the research revealed a notable acceleration in interest in the topic (76.9% of publications between 2022 and 2024), primarily concentrated in the USA. It was identified that, while the importance of these “soft skills” is valued, there is a gap in formal training. However, Behavioral Skills Training (BST) emerged as an effective and scientifically validated tool for teaching and measuring compassion and relational skills, with positive impacts on both professionals and caregivers. Conceptual articles paved the way for their operationalization. It was concluded that compassion and interpersonal skills are crucial pillars for the evolution of ABA, promoting more effective, ethical, and person-centered interventions. This review not only synthesized current knowledge but also highlighted generalization challenges and directed future research toward an even deeper and culturally relevant impact.