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Exploring Occupational Therapy Assistant Student Experiences in Mental Health, Behavioral Health, and Psychosocial Level I Fieldwork

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Title: Exploring Occupational Therapy Assistant Student Experiences in Mental Health, Behavioral Health, and Psychosocial Level I Fieldwork
Language: English
Authors: Tiffany L. Benaroya, Michelle Zechner, Meredith Cimmino, Ann Murphy, Margaret Swarbrick, Pamela Rothpletz-Puglia
Source: Journal of Occupational Therapy Education. 2025 9(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: 17
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Occupational Therapy, Allied Health Personnel, Allied Health Occupations Education, Mental Health, Behavior, College Students, Field Experience Programs, Program Effectiveness, Mental Disorders, Employment Qualifications, Safety, Student Attitudes
ISSN: 2573-1378
Abstract: Occupational therapy services offered in behavioral health remain low despite the growing number of individuals with behavioral health and psychosocial needs who could benefit from these services. Concurrently, in academia, all occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant students must complete at least one fieldwork focused primarily on mental health, behavioral health, and/or psychosocial needs. Research is limited regarding these fieldwork experiences, especially among occupational therapy assistant students. This project aimed to understand this gap better and comprehend how these experiences impact readiness to work with individuals labeled with a serious mental illness. Forty-five occupational therapy assistant students completed pre- and post-questionnaires regarding their experiences working with individuals with mental health, behavioral health, and/or psychosocial needs. Conventional content analysis and dialogic analysis revealed notable improvements in student perceptions and competencies as a result of their fieldwork experiences. Persistent safety concerns from pre- to post-fieldwork highlight the need for occupational therapy assistant programs to incorporate targeted educational content and experiential learning to address this issue. Responses underscore the critical role of this fieldwork in promoting holistic practice and reaffirming occupational therapy's foundational roots in supporting mental health and well-being.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1489006
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: Exploring Occupational Therapy Assistant Student Experiences in Mental Health, Behavioral Health, and Psychosocial Level I Fieldwork
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Tiffany+L%2E+Benaroya%22">Tiffany L. Benaroya</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Michelle+Zechner%22">Michelle Zechner</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Meredith+Cimmino%22">Meredith Cimmino</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ann+Murphy%22">Ann Murphy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Margaret+Swarbrick%22">Margaret Swarbrick</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Pamela+Rothpletz-Puglia%22">Pamela Rothpletz-Puglia</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+Occupational+Therapy+Education%22"><i>Journal of Occupational Therapy Education</i></searchLink>. 2025 9(4).
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  Data: Journal of Occupational Therapy Education. 521 Lancaster Avenue, Richmond, KY 40475. e-mail: jote@eku.edu; Web site: https://encompass.eku.edu/jote/
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Occupational+Therapy%22">Occupational Therapy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Allied+Health+Personnel%22">Allied Health Personnel</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Allied+Health+Occupations+Education%22">Allied Health Occupations Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mental+Health%22">Mental Health</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Behavior%22">Behavior</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+Students%22">College Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Field+Experience+Programs%22">Field Experience Programs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Program+Effectiveness%22">Program Effectiveness</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Mental+Disorders%22">Mental Disorders</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Employment+Qualifications%22">Employment Qualifications</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Safety%22">Safety</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink>
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  Data: Occupational therapy services offered in behavioral health remain low despite the growing number of individuals with behavioral health and psychosocial needs who could benefit from these services. Concurrently, in academia, all occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant students must complete at least one fieldwork focused primarily on mental health, behavioral health, and/or psychosocial needs. Research is limited regarding these fieldwork experiences, especially among occupational therapy assistant students. This project aimed to understand this gap better and comprehend how these experiences impact readiness to work with individuals labeled with a serious mental illness. Forty-five occupational therapy assistant students completed pre- and post-questionnaires regarding their experiences working with individuals with mental health, behavioral health, and/or psychosocial needs. Conventional content analysis and dialogic analysis revealed notable improvements in student perceptions and competencies as a result of their fieldwork experiences. Persistent safety concerns from pre- to post-fieldwork highlight the need for occupational therapy assistant programs to incorporate targeted educational content and experiential learning to address this issue. Responses underscore the critical role of this fieldwork in promoting holistic practice and reaffirming occupational therapy's foundational roots in supporting mental health and well-being.
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      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 17
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Occupational Therapy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Allied Health Personnel
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Allied Health Occupations Education
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      – SubjectFull: Mental Health
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      – SubjectFull: Behavior
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      – SubjectFull: College Students
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      – SubjectFull: Field Experience Programs
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      – SubjectFull: Mental Disorders
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      – SubjectFull: Employment Qualifications
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      – SubjectFull: Safety
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      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
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      – TitleFull: Exploring Occupational Therapy Assistant Student Experiences in Mental Health, Behavioral Health, and Psychosocial Level I Fieldwork
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