Document Type (Journals)
Original Research
Abstract
As cultural diversity continues to rise globally, there is an evident need for culturally competent care, especially within the client-centered field of occupational therapy. Previous research has shown that occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) students who participated in international service-learning demonstrated an immediate positive impact on their cultural competence. The current study revisits these same doctoral students to examine the long-term impact of international service-learning experiences at six-month, one-year, two-year, and three-year intervals following the initial experience. The researchers conducted a mixed methods study with a pre-test post-test design, utilizing the Cultural Intelligence Scale (CQS), as well as qualitative responses in the form of written reflection. Results emphasized the significant short-term impact on the CQS, with the entire sample (N=40) demonstrating statistically significant results immediately after the experience on all four factors: metacognition, cognition, motivational, and behavioral. Metacognition demonstrated significant long-term impact at the three-year and one-year intervals. Other factors of the CQS remained above baseline levels, however, were not statistically significant. It appears international service-learning has an immediate impact but does “decay” over time, encouraging additional experience to solidify change. Implications and limitations are presented.
Biography
Nathan Short, OTD, OTR/L, CHT is an associate professor of occupational therapy at Huntington University.
Heather St. Peters, PhD is an associate professor of organizational leadership at Huntington University.
Thomas Almonroeder, DPT, PhD is an assistant professor of physical therapy at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse.
Grace Bolomope, OTDS is a doctor of occupational therapy student at Huntington University.
Kelli Daller, OTDS is a doctor of occupational therapy student at Huntington University.
Kayla Deaton, OTDS is a doctor of occupational therapy student at Huntington University.
Madeline Kreill, OTDS is a doctor of occupational therapy student at Huntington University.
Declaration of Interest
The authors report no declarations of interest.
Recommended Citation
Short, N., St. Peters, H. Y., Almonroeder, T., Bolomope, G., Daller, K., Deaton, K., & Kreill, M. (2020). Long-Term Impact of International Service Learning: Cultural Competence Revisited. Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, 4 (1). https://doi.org/10.26681/jote.2020.040109
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