Attitude change among undergraduate rehabilitation interns

Baccalaureate trained practitioners are a significant part of the rehabilitation service provider population. As such, an examination of undergraduate rehabilitation interns' attitudes toward disability is integral to the development of total rehabilitation for the future. Rehabilitation educators need to understand the training, development, and attitudes of this group to ensure the utmost quality of service provision. Overall, the goal of this study was to determine the effect of the internship experience on attitude scores of undergraduate rehabilitation interns.; The theoretical framework proposed for this study is Helson's (1964) Adaptation-Level theory. Helson (1964) presented that in all situations a person experiences, there is an adaptation level or level of adjustment. The model and framework of the theory allows for the examination of varying stimuli at the same time.; The measure utilized to assess the dependent variable of attitude was the Attitudes Toward Disabled Persons Scale- Form A (ATDP-A). The attitude scores were measured in a pre/post-test design prior to the start and at the end of the clinical internship. Archival data collected from students representing eight undergraduate rehabilitation programs nationwide was used in the study. The subjects were part of a convenience, non-random sample of undergraduate interns completing their internships in rehabilitation. A paired sample t-test and analysis of covariance were utilized and applied to the ATDP scores and independent variables including: prior contact, social desirability, and internship type.; Results indicated that there was a significant difference in attitude scores prior to and at the end of the undergraduate internship in rehabilitation. A significant difference was identified between interns who had intimate relationships with persons with disabilities than those who did not. Interns with intimate contact had higher pre-test attitude scores. The final research question suggests that internship type does not have an impact on attitude scores at post-test. There were no significant differences in attitude scores between interns who completed a part-time versus a full-time internship.