This qualitative study explores the professional socialisation of British clinical psychology trainees.
Three cohorts of trainees (N=39), representing successive intakes of one doctoral training
programme, were interviewed about their experience of this process. The study design incorporated
longitudinal and cross-sectional elements and examined five consecutive chronological stages of
professional socialisation: preparation for clinical training in psychology assistants' posts; first,
second and third years of the doctoral programme; and the first eighteen months of post-qualification
work. Data were primarily collected through semi-structured interviews with the trainees. Interview
transcripts were analysed for themes using a theory-driven approach to code development (Boyatis,
1998). These themes were derived from earlier studies of professional socialisation, together with
constructs drawn from literature on the sociology of the professions and symbolic interactionism.
The study was largely naturalistic, but an intervention into the training programme is also reported.
The intervention consisted of a series of workshops conducted with study participants by the
researcher, based on the study's findings. These workshops were designed to facilitate reflection on
the process of professional socialisation to assist individuals to negotiate this status passage (Glaser &
Strauss, 1971).
The study's findings support the symbolic interactionist view of the trainee professional as an "active,
choice-making factor in his own socialisation" (Olesen & Whittaker, 1968). Interviews with
psychology assistants revealed that considerable anticipatory professional socialisation occurs before
individuals commence formal training. While individuals become well-versed in the rhetoric of the
profession, the majority retain some scepticism about aspects of this discourse, such as the scientistpractitioner
model. This scepticism was still evident at later stages in the socialisation process.
The transition to trainee status was experienced by many individuals as a period of anxiety and
confusion. During clinical training, adequate opportunities to role play allow trainees to develop
mastery in their clinical work, but role conflict and role ambiguity impede the development of their
professional identity. Role conflict and role ambiguity are considered as outcomes reflecting both
structural and situational/interactional factors (Bucher & Stelling, 1977). The transition from trainee
to qualified practitioner was difficult for most individuals. Increased workload and responsibility,
more complex cases, isolation, and inadequate supervision/support contributed to individuals' stress.
The study's findings are discussed in relation to current debates in clinical psychology concerning the
profession's role within the "psy complex" (Ingleby, 1983) and, more specifically, within the NHS.
In the light of these findings, recommendations to improve clinical training are offered.
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