This cross-sectional study examined whether the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) apply to psychologists’ openness to using telepsychology, and to identify significant personal or environmental predictors of telepsychology adoption. A total of 1,791 licensed psychologists currently practicing psychotherapy in the United States were recruited to complete a previously developed 21-item pool. Personal and environmental characteristics were also collected. Path models representing the TRA, TAM, and a hybrid of both were tested. Also, a logistic regression was used to identify personal and environmental predictors of current use of telepsychology. Results indicated the TRA and TAM were a poor fit for modeling psychologists’ openness to using telepsychology. Adequate fit was found with a third model in which the perceived attitudes of others concerning telepsychology were associated with the perceived ease of use and usefulness of telepsychology. Perceived ease of use and usefulness of telepsychology were both uniquely associated with current use of telepsychology. Receiving telepsychology training, organizational policies concerning the use of telepsychology, treatment emphases, treatment setting, and practicing within a rural area were significant predictors of current use; however, individual characteristics such as age, race/ethnicity, and years of practice were not. Organizations interested in encouraging psychologists to adopt telepsychology should create policies supporting the use of telepsychology and provide adequate training. Government and regulatory entities seeking to ensure treatment for individuals currently restricted from mental health services by time or geography should create clear and consistent laws permitting and governing the use of telepsychology.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:vcu.edu/oai:scholarscompass.vcu.edu:etd-6232 |
| Date | 01 January 2017 |
| Creators | Pierce, Bradford S |
| Publisher | VCU Scholars Compass |
| Source Sets | Virginia Commonwealth University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Theses and Dissertations |
| Rights | © The Author |
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