International Journal of Positive Behavioural Support
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The International Journal of Positive Behavioural Support
Overview of PBS
Positive behavioural support (PBS) is a collaborative and person-centred approach to supporting individuals at risk of behaviours that challenge. It integrates values and human rights, with ethical and compassionate use of the science of behaviour analysis, as well as other evidence-based approaches (such as augmentative and alternative communication, cognitive behavioural therapy, and active support).
PBS aims to understand behaviours that challenge; work in partnership with individuals and their families, carers, educators and multi-disciplinary partners; promote quality of life; develop capable environments; and reduce and remove restrictions that impede quality of life. Throughout, PBS practitioners work to ensure that support is collaborative, personalised, culturally responsive, proactive, and evidence based.
Aims of the Journal
The International Journal of Positive Behavioural Support is a peer-reviewed publication that aims to:
- lead the further development and evolution of PBS, internationally
- promote good practice in the use of PBS by bridging the gap between academic research and PBS practice
- contribute to the evidence base for PBS, with a particular focus on improving quality of life
- encourage collaborative PBS research and practice with professionals, family carers, and the people that they support
While the primary focus of the Journal is the use of PBS approaches in supporting children and adults with intellectual disability, submissions concerning PBS with other populations are welcomed.
The Journal particularly welcomes submissions authored by or with people who have intellectual disabilities, autistic people or people with lived experience of PBS.
The Journal publishes research papers, practice papers and brief reports.
It is published as an online journal twice a year.
Access to online back issues going back to volume 1, 2011 is included as part of the subscription.
The editors
Anne MacDonald, senior editor, University of Glasgow, UK
Darren Bowring, associate editor, Government of Jersey
Joseph M Lucyshyn, associate editor, University of British Columbia, Canada
News editor
Sarah Leitch, Bild, UK
Book review editor
John Shephard, Independent PBS Trainer, UK
Editorial Board
List of editorial board members can be downloaded here
Subscriptions
Subscription costs
- Professional/Individual £56
- Student/family carer £44
- Organisation £125
Fill in the online subscription form here to subscribe to this journal.
Access to online back issues going back to volume 1, 2011 is included as part of the subscription.
Latest issue
The contents page and access to a free article from the latest issue of the journal can be downloaded here:
- Contents page
- An implementation roadmap for setting-wide positive behavioural support in adult disability settings: a concept paper Deirdre Kearney and Olive Healy
Here is a short video presented by Deirdre introducing their paper.
Sample Content
Global Perspectives on Positive Behavioural Support - autumn 2023 special issue
The guest editor of this special issue, Nick Gore, has prepared a short video and this can be viewed here: Nick Gore: introducing this special issue.
Access to a free article from the journal can be downloaded here:
- Positive behavioural support in Norway: Context, values and aspirations for widespread systems of support by Ulf Berge
Short videos from authors introducing their papers included in this issue can be viewed here:
Updated definition of PBS published in a special issue of the journal
Featuring in an open access paper, the ‘Positive Behavioural Support in the UK: A State of the Nation Report,’ reflects on key issues and PBS developments that have arisen since 2013 providing further clarity around the current evidence base and an initial logic model to guide future research and PBS practice in the UK.
The updated definition of PBS has been co-developed with people with lived experience of learning disabilities, and autistic people, as well as family carers and professionals from across disciplines.
To view the ‘Positive Behavioural Support in the UK: A State of the Nation Report’ open access, please click here.
Sample articles and editorials from previous special issues can be downloaded for free here:
- Sample article Introduction and development of schoolwide
positive behavioural support in Japan - Reactive strategies for situational management - opening editorial
- Reactive strategies for situational management - closing editorial
- PBS, trauma and mental ill health editorial
- Positive Behavioural Support in secure/forensic settings
- Clinical outcomes of staff training in positive behavioural support to reduce challenging behaviour in adults with intellectual disability: Further thoughts on intervention, implementation and interpretation
Submitting an article for publication
The journal’s aim is to increase awareness of the use of positive behavioural interventions. It will inform practice and increase knowledge related to the evidence base for effective behavioural support in educational settings, community settings, social care settings and healthcare settings. We accept four types of papers and you can download the guidelines here: