Date of Award

5-2016

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Department

Psychological Science

Program

Psychological Science (MS)

First Advisor/Chairperson

Sheila Burns

Abstract

A survey was sent to 10,000 certified athletic trainers in various settings to examine personality characteristics and their relationship with satisfaction, intent to leave, and years practiced in the profession. The Employee Personality Inventory, included in the survey, separated respondents into five personality categories: communicators, directors, organizers, soothers and thinkers. Of the 1102 analyzed respondents, 216 were communicators, 51 were directors, 427 were organizers, 331 were soothers, and 77 were thinkers. The distribution of athletic training setting were as follows: academic instruction, 67; administration, 16; clinical medical, 53; clinical rehabilitation, 52; collegiate athletics, 331; high school athletics, 378; other, 65; outreach school athletics, 103; professional/Olympic athletics, 37. Common entry-level positions (high school athletics, outreach athletics, clinical rehab) scored the lowest on satisfaction/intent to leave and years practiced, while academic instruction, administration, and professional/Olympic athletics scored the highest. Thinkers, although small in number, had the most years practiced, followed by soothers. Communicators were the lowest in years practiced. There were no significant differences on intent to leave/satisfaction scores between personality types. An incomplete understanding of the athletic training profession may be what turns those recruits who have a better chance at longevity away from the profession. Additionally, athletic trainers who spend fewer years in the profession may not be leaving because of dissatisfaction.

Access Type

Open Access

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