Bridging the Gap: Virtual Reality as a Tool for De-Escalation Training in Disability Support Settings

Managing complex behaviors in disability support settings requires competent de-escalation skills. However, the current training methods often lack sufficient opportunities for realistic practice. This study details a three-stage development and evaluation of a virtual reality (VR) application for disability support staff to safely build de-escalation skills through simulated interactions. The first phase involved creating VR prototype scenarios depicting escalations with adolescent clients. Next, 12 disability support experts conducted content validation by refining the scenarios to confirm appropriateness and realism. Finally, a pilot study tested the tool’s usability and examined the initial construct validity in 20 participants. The prototype achieved high usability ratings (average 81.0 (SD 10.7) on the System Usability Scale). Additionally, a positive correlation between VR performance and empathy levels, as measured using the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire, was found (Pearson’s r = 0.487, p = 0.035). The promising results highlight the VR application’s potential as a transformative training tool. Future research should expand scenario diversity and compare VR with traditional methods to establish its efficacy in diverse settings and offer a path to enhance staff and student capabilities in challenging environments.