Rehabilitation psychology: 2020 state of the field survey.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE: To date, there are no published formal surveys of the "state of the field" of Rehabilitation Psychology in terms of education, training, practice patterns, professional identity, and relative salary and income structures for those who identify as Rehabilitation Psychologists. RESEARCH METHOD/DESIGN: In an effort to gather this information, the Practice Committee of APA Division 22 (Rehabilitation Psychology) conducted a convenience-sample survey of its listserv subscribers to obtain a representation of Rehabilitation Psychologists across the United States, and a depiction of the fields in which they work. RESULTS: There were 282 respondents to the survey. Most respondents were female (69%) and worked in hospital/medical facilities (70%). Most worked in urban/suburban areas (96%), with adults (57%), and had a straight salary income structure (78%). Salary was found to be associated with age (p < .001), gender (p < .001), degree (p = .001), board certification status (p < .001), years licensed (p < .001), and Manager/Director position status (p < .001). Salary was not significantly different by region. CONCLUSIONS: Implications regarding the need for advocacy for the roles of Rehabilitation Psychology in health care, promotion of the specialty with consumers, and the development of future professionals are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).