Factors in the consideration of a career in clinical psychology by undergraduates and graduates with disabilities : a Q methodological study

• Main Author: Twena, Suzanne
• Published: University of East London 2008
• Subjects: 150
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.532867

The recent enforcement of disability discrimination legislation (DDA, 1995) has put the recruitment of trainees with disabilities into Clinical Psychology on the agenda. This has lead to the publication of 'Clinical Training and Disability: Good Practice Guidelines' from the BPS (2006). However, in comparison to minority ethnic and gender there has been very little research in this area and no research on the viewpoint of applicants with disabilities. This Q methodological study explored the factors that psychology undergraduates and graduates with disabilities consider when applying for a career in clinical psychology. N=32 participants were recruited from diverse sources, and each completed the study's Q-sort procedure. Factors from the statistical analysis of the data were represented as 'exemplar1 sorts, and the Q sort items closely examined. The present study identified several narratives regarding the understandings and beliefs that individuals with disabilities hold about a career in clinical psychology. These accounts highlighted a number of benefits to entering the profession for the participants, such as, the opportunity to use the expertise and knowledge gained from personal experience of living with a disability in their work as a clinical psychologist. However, significant barriers were also identified including selection and applications procedures, the physical environment, organisational structure, and the negative attitudes of members of the profession towards individuals with disabilities. The implications of these findings for the recruitment of applicants with disabilities are discussed.