THE EFFECT OF PHYSIOTHERAPY STUDENTS' ATTITUDES TOWARDS THEIR PROFESSION AND EDUCATION ON HOPELESSNESS LEVELS AND PROFESSIONAL ANXIETY: THE CASE OF AFYONKARAHİSAR HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effect of physiotherapy students' attitudes toward their profession and education on hopelessness and professional anxiety. Methods: An online questionnaire was applied in the cross-sectional prospective study. Physical therapy students' attitudes toward their profession and education, the professional anxiety questionnaire, and the Beck Hopelessness Scale were used. Pearson correlation analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between variables. The effect of attitude toward profession and education on professional anxiety and hopelessness level was analyzed by simple linear regression analysis. Results: A total of 397 students participated. The mean age of the participants was 21.36 +/- 2.57 years; 32.20% (n = 128) were in third grade, and 58.40% (n = 232) in regular education. 59.4% (n = 236) of the students had positive attitudes towards their profession and education (total mean score = 85.65 +/- 11.70). The professional anxiety was mild in 10.8% (n = 43), moderate in 68.0% (n = 270) and high in 20.9% (n = 83). Of the students, 35.3% (n = 140) were hopeful, 31.7% (n = 126) were mild hopelessness, 23.4% (n = 93) were moderate hopelessness and 9.6% (n = 38) were severe hopelessness. The professional anxiety was moderate (58.07 +/- 12.13), and hopelessness mild (6.65 +/- 5.01). There was a negative and moderate relationship between physiotherapist students' attitudes towards their profession and education and their professional anxiety (r = -0.552), and hopelessness levels (r = -0.447) (p<0.001). Attitudes towards profession and education had an effect on professional anxiety (R-2 = 0.304) and hopelessness level (R-2 = 0.200) (p<0.001). Conclusion: Since positive attitudes towards the profession reduce hopelessness and professional anxiety, the variables affecting students' positive attitudes should be investigated. Professional education should focus on these variables.