J Educ Eval Health Prof.  2019;16:6. 10.3352/jeehp.2019.16.6.

Attitudes toward rehabilitating inmates among occupational therapy students in the United States

• Tucker SC
• Yuen HK

• KMID: 2447241
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3352/jeehp.2019.16.6

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was to examine occupational therapy (OT) students' attitudes toward rehabilitating inmates and validate an instrument used to measure their attitudes.
METHODS
OT students (n=128) from one university in Alabama, United States, completed an online survey exploring their attitudes toward rehabilitating inmates, which was assessed using the Rehabilitation Orientation Scale (ROS), a 7-point scale. Dimensional structure, internal consistency reliability, construct validity, and relations to other variables of the ROS was evaluated using factor analyses, Cronbach's alpha, known-groups method, and univariable correlations, respectively.
RESULTS
Unidimensionality of the ROS was confirmed with an alpha coefficient of 0.90. The mean ROS score of the respondents was 5.1; a score toward 7 indicated a more supportive attitude. About 60% of the respondents reported supportive attitudes (i.e., an ROS score ≥5). Respondents' ROS scores were significantly higher than those of the public and criminal justice professionals. Female students reported a more supportive attitude than males. Multiple regression analysis indicated that respondents' consideration of working in prison settings after graduation and their perception that OT has a role in prison settings were significantly associated with support for rehabilitating inmates, after controlling for gender and an acquaintance with someone who has been incarcerated.
CONCLUSION
Results indicated that the ROS demonstrated adequate psychometric properties as it applied to this population. The majority of respondents reported supportive attitudes toward rehabilitating inmates. Consideration of working in prison settings after graduation and the perception that OT has a role in prison settings were 2 independent factors associated with respondents' attitudes toward rehabilitating inmates.

Keyword

Attitude of health personnel; Occupational therapy; Students; Health professions; Criminals; United States

MeSH Terms

Alabama
Attitude of Health Personnel
Criminal Law
Criminals
Female
Health Occupations
Humans
Male
Methods
Occupational Therapy*
Prisons
Psychometrics
Rehabilitation
Surveys and Questionnaires
United States*

Reference

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