Document Type

Thesis - NSU Access Only

Title

Age Difference and Their Effect on Deciding a Career in Physical Therapy

Authors

Danielle Marie, Nova Southeastern University

Degree Name

Master of Physical Therapy (MPT)

Copyright Statement

All rights reserved. This publication is intended for use solely by faculty, students, and staff of Nova Southeastern University. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, now known or later developed, including but not limited to photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author or the publisher.

Department

College of Health Care Sciences - Physical Therapy Department

Publication Date / Copyright Date

1998

Publisher

Nova Southeastern University

NSUWorks Citation

Danielle Marie. 1998. Age Difference and Their Effect on Deciding a Career in Physical Therapy. Master's thesis. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, College of Health Care Sciences - Physical Therapy Department. (134)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hpd_pt_stuetd/134.

Abstract

Purpose: The main objective of this descriptive study was to determine what effect age differences have in regard to deciding on a career in physical therapy.

Subjects: A sample of convenience of 185 (94.9% return rate) masters level students from Nova Southeastern University in Davie, FL were surveyed.

Method: A questionnaire was distributed to the students designed to obtain information regarding the student's influential factors. Data was analyzed by frequencies, cross tabulations, chi-square, and the Spearman rank correlation coefficient. Open-ended questions were analyzed and represented by frequency information.

Results: Results revealed that there are significant differences between the younger versus the older student in the area of the "need to help others" and "influence of family friends and role models". Next, gender differences were addressed and significant relationships were found with "need to help others," "career fulfillment," and "job flexibility". Lastly, a relationship was found with the area of "opportunity for advancement" and ethnic background differences in relation to the student's influential factors.

Conclusion: The results concluded that differences do exist between the younger and the older students. Differences also existed with respect to gender and ethnic background with the student's influential factors for selecting physical therapy as a career.

Disciplines

Physical Therapy