Identifier

etd-04232012-151422

Degree

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Department

Social Work

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

With autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses on the rise, there is a growing need for knowledgeable professionals in the field. However, graduate social work students report low interest and negative attitudes toward working with this population, and few social workers enter the field of developmental disabilities. This is the first known study to examine the interrelationships among graduate social work students’ knowledge about ASD, self-efficacy in working with individuals with ASD, attitudes toward working with individuals with ASD, formal training in ASD, and contact with persons with ASD. These interrelationships were explained in the context of Social Cognitive Career Theory. The study found that knowledge, formal training, and contact were significantly and positively associated with participants’ self-efficacy. Attitudes and contact were found to be positively associated with interest, with attitudes demonstrating a stronger correlation. Implications of these findings for social work education, practice, and research are discussed.

Date

2012

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Release the entire work immediately for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Lemieux, Catherine M.

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.3432

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Social Work Commons

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