Ethics Skill Builder, May 2025

Multiple Relationships

Matthew T. Brodhead, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Associate Professor, Michigan State University

About this Article: Along with its instructional content, this article contains two brief exercises for the reader to engage in by themselves or with a group.

Multiple Relationships: Defined By the Blurred Line

The Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s^® (BACB^®) Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts (2020; hereafter referred to as the BACB Code) defines multiple relationships as “A comingling of two or more of a behavior analyst’s roles (e.g., behavioral and personal) with a client, stakeholder, supervisee, trainee, research participant, or someone closely associated or related to the client” (p. 7). Here, the term “comingling” is key: two or more factions of a behavior analyst’s life “mix” together with one another, forming the basic ingredients of a multiple relationship. 

Before going further, it is important to first describe some examples of multiple relationships. Though it is impossible to list every example of a multiple relationship, three examples are provided below. 

Example 1: Matt (he/him) is Ashley’s (she/her) MA advisor and directs Ashley’s thesis committee. Matt is also Ashley’s instructor for one of Ashley’s MA courses. Here, Matt and Ashley are in a multiple relationship: Advisor – Advisee; Instructor – Student.

Example 2: Emily (she/her) and Aman (he/him) both work for a university in the same academic department. They are also legally married. Here, Emily and Aman are in a multiple relationship: Colleague – Colleague; Spouse – Spouse. 

Example 3: Jesse (he/him) and Phil (he/him) have been friends since elementary school. Phil has a son who has autism. Phil has asked Jesse if Jesse knows of any research studies that can help his son’s challenging behavior. Jesse sends Phil a flyer, and then Phil enrolls his son in one of Jesse’s research studies. Here, Jesse and Phil are in a multiple relationship: Friend – Friend; Researcher – Parent. 

Multiple Relationships: Potential Precursors to Problems

The straight-forward and often most-parroted advice regarding multiple relationships is to avoid them whenever possible. Though this sounds good on paper, it is not always possible or even ideal to do so. 

For example, because of the multiple relationship between Matt and Ashley, does Ashley need to change advisors? Probably not. 

Does Aman need to find a new job because he works in the same academic department as his wife? Probably not.

Should Phil’s son be denied of care, albeit experimental, that could improve his quality of life, just because he is friends with the researcher conducting the experiment? Say it with me… probably not. 

The existence of a multiple relationship does not necessarily mean there will be a problem. Instead, practicing behavior analysts and technicians should always view a multiple relationship as a potential precursor to problems or increased risks. 

Exercise #1: Before we go any further, stop for a minute or two and think about the potential risks that may arise from each of the 3 examples described above. Be sure to consider the wide range of people who may be affected by each multiple relationship.

Now that you’ve thought things through, let’s revisit the above 3 examples and examine a potential risk from each that may arise through the multiple relationships. 

Example 1 risk: Ashley could miss a deadline in her ethics class, and this missed deadline makes Matt upset. Because Matt has difficulty managing his emotions, he is extra critical when evaluating her latest draft of her research thesis. 

Example 2 risk: Emily’s advisee has a negative interaction with Aman but does not want to ask Emily for guidance because that advisee is afraid Emily will tell Aman about their conversation. As a result, Emily’s advisee must navigate the difficult social dynamics of academia without a trusted mentor.

Example 3 risk: Phil becomes unhappy with the research study. But because of his history with Jesse, he does not want to unenroll his son. He also is concerned that unenrolling may make Jesse upset. As a result, Phil’s son’s participation in research is not without undue influence.

An Ounce of Prevention

These examples illustrate how multiple relationships can turn from something benign to a real problem. And these changes can occur quickly, too. 

The good news is that preventative measures can be taken to identify and avoid potential negative outcomes of multiple relationships. The goal is to reduce the likelihood of harm occurring and to ensure high quality care and services and professional behaviors can occur uninterrupted (or at least as close to that as possible).

The preventative steps are listed in more detail below and are in line with language in BACB Code Standard 1.11. 

Step 1: Avoid the multiple relationship, if possible. This is not always possible, and avoiding the multiple relationship may not always be the best option.

Step 2: If the multiple relationship cannot be avoided, then you should first be sure to identify and acknowledge the presence of the multiple relationship, preferably in writing. Do not, under any circumstances, ignore the multiple relationship and pretend that it will go away.

Step 3: Identify and acknowledge the possible risks of the multiple relationship. Disclose those potential risks in writing.

Step 4: Create a plan for managing and monitoring the multiple relationship. Put this plan in writing.

Step 5: Continuously monitor mitigating measures and make revisions to those measures based on the data you collect. 

Step 6: Consult with an independent 3rd party when appropriate; also consider if the situation may require mediation from a 3rd party. 

Step 7: Consult the Association for Professional Behavior Analysts’ member resources, which has a treasure trove of documents to assist members in managing multiple relationships. Those resources can be found here.

Step 8: Carefully document your activities and store documentation in a safe and secure location so you can access them later (often months or years later).

Exercise 2: Given what you now know (or have been reminded of) about multiple relationships, consider the above 3 examples and think through how you would go about the 8-step process described above. And keep in mind, there are probably multiple solutions to each example.

Final Thoughts

Though not all multiple relationships are cause for alarm, they should each be acknowledged and managed. Do not, under any circumstances, ignore the multiple relationship and hope that it will disappear or assume that no negative outcomes will result. Instead, be systematic in identifying the multiple relationship and associated risks, develop a plan and monitor it, and then use the data to make revisions and future decisions, as necessary. Of course, document your actions along the way, store your documents in a safe and secure place, and consult with trusted colleagues for advice and encouragement. And hopefully then, the inevitable comingling between your professional and personal lives will mix perfectly, forming a recipe for professional and personal bliss you have been seeking to achieve.