Predictors of Psychology Graduate Student Interest in the Field of Developmental Disabilities

Abstract

This study examined predictors of interest in the future provision of clinical services to people with developmental disabilities by Canadian graduate students in psychology. Utilizing a cross-sectional survey, 458 psychology students from clinical, clinical neuropsychology, and counseling psychology programs from across Canada provided information on their interest in working with the population, their formal training experiences within the university, and their experiences outside the university. Formal training in school and informal experiences in the community were significant predictors of students' intention to work with clients with a developmental disability. The implications of these findings for training programs are discussed.

Keywords:

• graduate student
• psychology
• developmental disability
• intellectual disability
• training
• clinical psychology