Therapeutic Recreation Majors' Work Preference

Authors

  • Elizabeth H. Barber
  • Anita Magafas

Keywords:

Therapeutic Recreation Students, Work Preference, Disabled Population, Elderly

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the client age/disability work preference of therapeutic recreation students. Both undergraduates and graduate students (n = 76) were surveyed at three separate universities. The results indicated that these future practitioners prefer to work with younger clients, specifically youth (0-20 years old). There also was an obvious pattern of work preference toward disability groups. Physically impaired clients were consistently chosen first and chronically ill clients were consistently chosen last. These were among five disability groups studied. With the graying of America, implications for the future suggest that therapeutic recreation students need to be exposed to the benefits that can be associated when working with the elderly population. This population will have a greater need in the future, and the supply of TR specialists needs to meet this future demand.

Issue

Section

Research Papers