A study of the development of traits of entry-level occupational therapy students.
OBJECTIVE
This study compared the personality traits of entry-level occupational therapy students before and after their participation in 2 years of academic and clinical education in order to examine the change of traits in their professional personality profile.


METHODS
Forty-nine occupational therapy students completed the 18 scales of the California Psychological Inventory during their first fall and second spring semesters. This time span included two Level I and one Level II fieldwork experiences.


RESULTS
T tests were used to analyze the students' scales. Students' scores in the second test showed a statistically significant increase in 13 of the 18 scales as compared to their first test scores. Achievement via independence and psychological-mindedness emerged as the highest ranking personality traits of the students in their second test scores.


CONCLUSIONS
The occupational therapy curriculum may have influenced the scores of the entry-level students, in both intellectual and psychosocial traits, in a positive direction.
Donohue
M V
MV
Department of Occupational Therapy, New York University, New York 10012, USA.
D006801:Humans; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D010551:Personality; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors