A longitudinal study of the career satisfaction of clinical psychologists.

Abstract

A sample from a previous study of recent graduates of doctoral programs in clinical psychology were surveyed regarding their satisfaction with training and career choice eight years later. With a return rate of 94%, high levels of satisfaction were found; 89.4% of the sample indicating that they would become psychologists if that had it to do all over again. Results suggest that making training more relevant to the work of the practicing psychologist and exposure to different role models during training may be related to career satisfaction. The level of satisfaction with a career choice in clinical psychology in samples of very experienced clinical psychologists has been the focus of several studies (Kelly, Goldberg, Fiske, & Kilkowski, 1978; Norcross& Prochaska, 1982). In each of these studies respondents indicated a high level of dissatisfaction with their career choice. To extend the work of these early researchers, Walfish, Polifka, and Stenmark (1985) examined career satisfaction in a random sample of recent graduates (1.5 years of professional experience). The levels of satisfaction were much higher for this group, with 85% of the sample indicating that they would once again choose psychology as a career. The purpose of the present investigation is to follow up with the graduates in Walfish et al.'s (1985) study eight years after the initial polling. In addition, this area of research will be extended by examining several dimensions of career satisfaction, rather than simply asking the global question of making the same career choice once again.

Predictors of career satisfaction among practicing psychologists.

“…Many early studies simply asked clinical psychologists whether they would choose psychology as a career if they could live their life over again. Results of these studies indicated that anywhere from 59% to 89% would choose psychology again (e.g., Garfield & Kurtz, 1976; Kelley, Goldberg, Fiske, & Kilkowski, 1978; Walfish, Moritz, & Stenmark, 1991; Walfish, Polifka, & Stenmark, 1985). Other studies have asked psychologists to rate their level of career satisfaction.…”

Career-Sustaining Behaviors, Satisfactions, and Stresses of Professional Psychologists.

“…Although stress and burnout are very serious concerns, research suggests that most psychologists successfully manage the pressures of their work and function well. In fact, surveys assessing career satisfaction of psychologists have found that a majority of respondents (74–89%) report that they would choose psychology as a career if they had it to do over again (e.g., Ackerly, Burnell, Holder, & Kurdek, 1988; Walfish, Moritz, & Stenmark, 1991; Walfish, Polifka, & Stenmark, 1985). Furthermore, studies examining burnout have found that psychologists tend to score in the middle range on most indices of burnout and report high levels of feelings of personal accomplishment (e.g., Ackerly et al, 1988; Rupert & Morgan, 2004).…”

On the process and outcome of graduate training in clinical psychology: Where do we want to go, how will we get there, and who will join us?

“…The number of academics produced is then interpreted as an index of program quality. Other studies have assessedjob placements of graduates (e.g., Follette & Klesges, 1988; Walfish, Moritz, & Stenmark, 1991), number of publications generated (e.g., Golden, et al, 1980), and professional development (Ducheny, Crandell, Alletzhauser, Schneider, 1997).…”