Honors Theses

Date of Award

Spring 5-2-2021

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

Department

Health, Exercise Science, and Recreation Management

First Advisor

Melinda Valliant

Second Advisor

Martha Bass

Third Advisor

Anne Bomba

Relational Format

Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract

Client experience is an important consideration in physical and occupational therapy (known as rehabilitation therapy.) The personality trait of grit has been studied in many different settings and populations and could have an impact on rehabilitation therapy clients’ perceptions and experiences. The purpose of this study is to identify the relationship between scores on Dr. Angela Duckworth’s Grit Scale (that identifies the presence and strength of grit) and perceptions of experiences by rehabilitation therapy clients. Seven males and twelve females (age: 56.78 ± 15.83) participated in this study. The Grit Scale was used to assess participants’ grit. Multiple-choice questions were used to collect data on participants’ experiences in rehabilitation therapy. This study found moderate positive correlations (r = .432, p = .065) between grit and positive perceptions of progress in therapy, as well as between grit and positive reasons behind completing assigned at-home exercises (r = .45, p < .05), an important aspect of rehabilitation success. Studying grit is important to the fields of physical and occupational therapy because clients with different levels of grit may view their challenges in therapy differently accordingly and understanding grit in clients may help therapists improve client experience and progress in treatment. Findings from this study can be used to help improve rehabilitation therapy clients’ experiences.

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