Mentorship in rehabilitation psychology: Attitudes and perspectives

To characterize how mentorship has been perceived, received, and practiced by individuals in the field of rehabilitation psychology across the career lifespan.

Current members of the American Psychological Association Division 22 (Rehabilitation Psychology) were invited to complete an electronic survey via REDCap assessing individual experiences and perspectives on mentorship. Thematic analysis was used to identify key constructs and themes.

39 participants (n = 25 mentors) completed the survey with valid responses. Participants spanned the career lifespan, ranging from predoctoral trainees to late-senior psychologists. Mentorship was generally perceived as helpful for both mentors and mentees. Several important qualities of mentors (e.g., availability, communication skills, self-disclosure, and emotional support) and mentees (e.g., flexibility, motivation, and openness to feedback) were identified. Among both groups, mentorship was viewed as especially beneficial for obtaining American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) board certification, which may reflect an aspect of mentoring unique to Division 22. Existing gaps in mentorship and key areas for improvement were also identified; access to mid- to late-career mentorship emerged as a notable gap in mentorship. Increased program structure, networking opportunities, and research mentorship were also identified as possible areas of growth.

This study provides meaningful insights into mentorship within the field of rehabilitation psychology. Our findings demonstrate the value of mentorship across the career lifespan, and the beneficial role of mentorship in obtaining ABPP board certification. In addition, we identify key areas of growth that can inform and improve mentorship within the field. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).