Psychology Students’ Beliefs about Integrating Complementary and Alternative Therapy (CAT) into Their Future Psychology Practice

Abstract

We investigated whether belief-based differences exist between students who have strong and weak intentions to integrate complementary and alternative therapy (CAT) into future psychology practice by recommending CAT or specific CAT practitioners to clients. A cross-sectional methodology was used. Psychology undergraduate students (N = 106) participated in a paper-based questionnaire design to explore their underlying beliefs related to CAT integration. The study was undertaken at a major university in Queensland, Australia. The theory of planned behaviour belief-based framework guided the study. Multivariate analyses of variance examined the influence of behavioural, normative, and control beliefs on the strong and weak intention groups. A multiple regression analysis investigated the relative importance of these belief sets for predicting intentions. We found that clear differences emerged between strong and weak intenders on behavioural and normative beliefs, but not control beliefs. Strong intenders perceived the positive outcomes of integrating CAT, such as being able to offer clients a more holistic practice and having confidence in the practitioners/practices, as more likely to occur than weak intenders, and perceived the negative outcome of compromising my professional practice as less likely. Strong intenders were more likely than weak intenders to perceive that a range of important referents (e.g., clients) would think they should integrate CAT. Results of the regression analysis revealed the same pattern of results in that behavioural and normative beliefs, but not control beliefs, significantly predicted intentions. The findings from this study can be used to inform policy and educational initiatives that aim to encourage CAT use in psychology practice.

Complementary medicine in psychology practice: an analysis of Australian psychology guidelines and a comparison with other psychology associations from English speaking countries

“…In some countries (e.g., America and England) specific CM approaches are accepted by psychologists and integrated into their practice, such as meditation and mindfulness; yet they were not previously considered a component of psychology [ 31 , 33 , 34 ]. Some psychologists report engaging with CM based on holistic and client centred principles [ 3 , 35 , 36 ], while others discuss client demand and acknowledge the cultural relevance of some CM (Barimah and Akotia 2015 [ 18 , 37 – 39 ]. Psychologists are also seeking training in, and already using, some CM approaches in their practice [ 1 , 3 , 4 , 19 ].…”

“…Australian psychologists note the absence of CM relevant guidelines [ 1 , 48 ]. The concern for lack of guidelines is reported by participant psychologists in relevant papers, and includes: 1) confusion around the ethical responsibility to advise clients appropriately about CM [ 5 , 49 ], 2) what is allowable in terms of integrating CM in clinical practice [ 19 , 36 ], 3) how the efficacy of CM can be explored by psychologists in safe and ethical ways [ 4 , 35 ], and 4) that psychologists in clinical practice are attempting to address consumer demand for CM without clear policy and guidelines [ 2 , 3 , 47 ]. Australian studies also cite lack of knowledge or education as a barrier to psychologist engagement with CM [ 43 , 50 ].…”

Use of complementary therapies by registered psychologists: An international study.

“…Higher total scores reflect stronger beliefs in CAM as being advantageous or beneficial. Previous studies have found these four items to be valid and psychometrically sound in measuring behavioural beliefs relating to CAM (Wilson & White, 2007;Wilson & White, 2008;Wilson, Hamilton, & White, 2012). Data was analysed using SPSS-19 (Corp, 2010).…”