Graduation Term

Spring 2025

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Department of Psychology: School Psychology

Committee Chair

Brea Banks

Committee Member

Jeffrey H. Kahn

Committee Member

Caitlin Mercier

Committee Member

Debbie Shelden

Abstract

Disabled graduate students often report experiences of ableist microaggressions in their training environment, as disability-affirming practices tend to be overlooked in higher education institutions (Kattari et al., 2019; Lund et al., 2020). Ableist microaggressions are verbal, nonverbal, and/or environmental messages that relay derogatory messages toward individuals with disabilities and normalize everyday forms of discrimination enacted toward them (Annamma et al., 2013; Kattari et al., 2019). Studies demonstrate that disabled graduate students in health psychology graduate programs report higher exposure to ableist experiences during pre internship training and supervision compared to other stages of graduate training (Lund et al., 2014; Lund et al., 2016). Experiences of microaggressions within supervision have been linked to negative perceptions of the supervisory relationship and satisfaction with supervision (Constantine & Sue, 2007). Supervisee perceptions of the supervisory relationship have been linked to perceptions of stress, burnout, self-efficacy, disclosure, and client outcomes (Hiebler Ragger et al., 2021). Perceptions of burnout and counseling self-efficacy also contribute to client outcomes and clinical competency development (Hiebler-Ragger et al., 2021). I assessed the impact of ableist microaggressions within supervision on the supervisory relationship and perceptions of burnout and self-efficacy among disabled graduate students participating in ongoing clinical supervision in health psychology programs using a survey-based method. I specifically assessed whether ableist microaggressions predicted perceptions of burnout and self efficacy. Additionally, I assessed whether the supervisory relationship moderated the relation between ableist microaggressions and burnout and self-efficacy. Results demonstrated that ableist microaggressions within supervision have a direct link to perceptions of burnout, however, the supervisory relationship did not moderate the relation between exposure to microaggressions and perceptions of burnout. Furthermore, exposure to ableist microaggressions did not have a relation to perceptions of self-efficacy and the supervisory relationship. As higher reports of exposure to ableist microaggressions in supervision demonstrate a relation to perceptions of burnout, training programs can consider systemic interventions to diminish ableist discrimination and create an inclusive environment for disabled graduate students in health psychology graduate programs.

Access Type

Thesis-Open Access

DOI

https://doi.org/10.30707/ETD.1763755358.450076

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