Occupational Therapy Administrators and Clinicians: Differences in Demographics and Values

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine variables that predict whether an occupational therapist will choose an administrative role or a clinical role within the profession. It is hoped that the results will be useful to those educators whose job is to recruit potential occupational therapy administrators. Variables were measured with Catell's Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire (Catell, Eber, & Tatsuoka, 1982); the Rokeach Values Survey (Rokeach, 1968); nine semantic differential items measuring fear of success, fear of failure, identification with mother or father, and self-concept; and a demographic survey. The therapist's age and educational degree, and the values of lovingness, capability, mature love, inner harmony, and a sense of accomplishment were major correlates of role choice.

The roles the respondents had actually chosen were predicted with 67% accuracy. Age, educational degree, male mentoring in administration, the specialty of physical disabilities, and the values of capability, a sense of accomplishment, freedom, and ambition were predictors of the administrative role. Age, degree, and the values of lovingness, helpfulness, mature love, and inner harmony were predictors of the clinical role The personality factors fear of success or fear of failure, identification with mother or father, and self-concept did not contribute to the respondents' choice of occupational role.