Date Presented 04/03/2025
OT entrepreneurship is necessary for the growth of the profession. This correlational study examined the relationship among perceived social support, self-efficacy, and life satisfaction among OT entrepreneurs.
Primary Author and Speaker: Yan-hua Huang
Additional Authors and Speakers: Luke Waldschmitt, Bryan Ha, Vanessa Rodriguez, Gabriel Yabut
PURPOSE: This study examined the relationship among perceived social support, self-efficacy, and life satisfaction among Occupational Therapy entrepreneurs.
DESIGN: This study used a quantitative survey research design. Participants were recruited through flier postings that were posted on professional Occupational Therapy organization websites and social media platforms.
METHOD: The study used 19 demographic questions and 3 standardized surveys: Satisfaction with Life Scale, Multidimensional Perceived Social Support, and General Self-Efficacy Scale. Descriptive statistics and correlational analysis were used for data analysis.
RESULTS: Eight Occupational Therapy entrepreneurs participated in this study. The mean age of participants is 43.7 years of age. The mean years of experience as Occupational Therapists was 18 years and years owning a business is 5.9 years. There was a statistically significant strong positive correlation (r = 0.73, p < .05) between participant life satisfaction and perceived social support received from friends. There was a statistically significant positive strong correlation ( r = 0.82, p < .05) between participant’s perceived self-efficacy. Currently, the data collection is ongoing, and the final results will be reported at the conference.
CONCLUSION: This is the first quantitative study done on entrepreneur occupational therapists’ perceived social support, self-efficacy, and life satisfaction. Occupational Therapy entrepreneurs who had greater perceived self-efficacy and have higher social support have a higher life satisfaction.
IMPACT STATEMENT: These results can influence aspiring Occupational Therapy entrepreneurs to start their own businesses and fill service gaps within the community, making an impact on the profession. There is not enough entrepreneurship within Occupational Therapy, so this study aims to highlight the positive aspects correlated with starting one’s own business.
References
Powers, J., Weldon, S., Decker, T., Edberg, A., & Methipara, E. (2017). Factors That Lead Occupational Therapists to Enter Private Practice: An Ongoing Mixed-Methods Design. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71(4.1, Suppl.), 7111515259p1–7111515259p1. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2017.71S1-PO5150
Lapointe, J., Baptiste, S., von Zweck, C. M., & Craik, J. M. (2013). Developing the occupational therapy profession through leadership and mentorship: Energizing opportunities. World Federation of Occupational Therapists Bulletin, 68(1), 38–43.
Anderson, K. M., & Nelson, D. L. (2011). Wanted: Entrepreneurs in occupational therapy. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 65(2), 221–228. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2011.001628
Håkansson, C., & Lexén, A. (2021). The combination of psychosocial working conditions, occupational balance and sociodemographic characteristics and their associations with no or negligible stress symptoms among Swedish occupational therapists – a cross-sectional study. BMC Health Services Research, 21(1), 471–471. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-06465-6
