Significant Student Debt of Occupational Therapists Post- Graduation One to Five Years: Their Debt Context and Impact on Personal and Professional Lives
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| Title: | Significant Student Debt of Occupational Therapists Post- Graduation One to Five Years: Their Debt Context and Impact on Personal and Professional Lives |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Brenda M. Coppard, Angie Lampe, Yongyue Qi, Samantha Torre, Stefany Shaibi, Gianluca Del Rossi |
| Source: | Journal of Occupational Therapy Education. 2024 8(4). |
| Availability: | Journal of Occupational Therapy Education. 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, KY 40475. e-mail: jote@eku.edu; Web site: https://encompass.eku.edu/jote/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 41 |
| Publication Date: | 2024 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research Tests/Questionnaires |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Debt (Financial), Allied Health Personnel, Occupational Therapy, Student Financial Aid, Health Education, College Graduates, Mental Health, Relationship, Work Life Expectancy, Financial Literacy, Career Choice, Salaries |
| Geographic Terms: | Nebraska (Omaha) |
| ISSN: | 2573-1378 |
| Abstract: | A growing amount of research examines the personal and financial burden of students in healthcare programs who graduate with large amounts of student loan debt. However, a paucity of literature addresses occupational therapists' student loan debt burden. This study was conducted to describe the context of occupational therapists who have significant debt and the impact on their personal and professional lives. This study employed an exploratory sequential design in which quantitative data from a survey was collected first, followed by the collection of qualitative data from participant interviews to study occupational therapy graduates who accrued more than $100,000 in student loan debt. Forty-four occupational therapy graduates from Creighton University completed a survey asking questions about personal choices in relation to debt. Of these respondents, 20 completed a follow-up semi-structured interview. Six themes related to the effect of debt on personal lives emerged from the interviews, including: 1) mental health, 2) future purchasing power, 3) relationships, 4) maintaining life work balance, 5) frugality, and 6) financial literacy. Four themes related to effect of debt on professional lives were: 1) job limitations, 2) stuck, 3) career choice, and 4) salary dissonance. Future research should further examine how programs can address these concerns to promote student and practitioner well-being. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2024 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1447689 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | A growing amount of research examines the personal and financial burden of students in healthcare programs who graduate with large amounts of student loan debt. However, a paucity of literature addresses occupational therapists' student loan debt burden. This study was conducted to describe the context of occupational therapists who have significant debt and the impact on their personal and professional lives. This study employed an exploratory sequential design in which quantitative data from a survey was collected first, followed by the collection of qualitative data from participant interviews to study occupational therapy graduates who accrued more than $100,000 in student loan debt. Forty-four occupational therapy graduates from Creighton University completed a survey asking questions about personal choices in relation to debt. Of these respondents, 20 completed a follow-up semi-structured interview. Six themes related to the effect of debt on personal lives emerged from the interviews, including: 1) mental health, 2) future purchasing power, 3) relationships, 4) maintaining life work balance, 5) frugality, and 6) financial literacy. Four themes related to effect of debt on professional lives were: 1) job limitations, 2) stuck, 3) career choice, and 4) salary dissonance. Future research should further examine how programs can address these concerns to promote student and practitioner well-being. |
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| ISSN: | 2573-1378 |
