Alabama Research Institute on Aging, College of Arts and Sciences, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA.
Department of Psychology, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA.
J Clin Psychol. 2021 Jan;77(1):90-104. doi: 10.1002/jclp.23035. Epub 2020 Aug 6.
Using the framework of Social Cognitive Career Theory, this study aimed to ascertain attitudes and perceptions of geropsychology career paths, given the present notable geriatric workforce shortage.
An online survey was developed iteratively and disseminated through various modalities (i.e., internet, email, word-of-mouth). Participants included 28 predoctoral and 76 professional geropsychologists (N = 107; age M = 39.18, SD = 12.05). The sample was largely female (72%), non-Hispanic White (89%), and has or was working towards their PhD (82%).
Results delineate attractive and unattractive aspects of common career options (academic, clinical Veterans Affairs [VA], clinical non-VA), and assessed the hypothetical proclivity and feasibility of switching between academic and clinically focused careers. The results found gender (women vs. men) and career stages (predoctoral vs. professional) to be significant contributors to career perceptions.
The present study advances past literature by unveiling potential avenues to ameliorate this workforce shortage within both clinical and academic fields in geropsychology.
本研究运用社会认知职业理论框架，旨在确定在当前显著的老年劳动力短缺背景下，对老年精神病学职业道路的态度和看法。
通过各种方式（即互联网、电子邮件、口碑）逐步开发并传播在线调查。参与者包括 28 名博士生前和 76 名专业老年精神病学家（N=107；年龄 M=39.18，SD=12.05）。该样本主要为女性（72%）、非西班牙裔白人（89%），并拥有或正在攻读博士学位（82%）。
结果描绘了常见职业选择（学术、临床退伍军人事务部 [VA]、临床非-VA）的吸引人之处和不吸引人之处，并评估了在学术和临床重点职业之间转换的假设倾向和可行性。结果发现性别（女性与男性）和职业阶段（博士生前与专业）是职业认知的重要因素。
本研究通过揭示改善老年精神病学临床和学术领域劳动力短缺的潜在途径，推进了以往的文献。
