Tove Carstensen

Norwegian University of Science and Technology | NTNU · Faculty of Health and Social Science, Department of Occupational Therapy

Background: While study approaches have been directly associated with students' academic performance, learning environment factors may play a more indirect role. The aim of this study was (i) to assess learning environment factors as predictors of students' average exam grades, and (ii) whether study approaches mediated associations between learnin...

There is increasing attention toward students' satisfaction and how they perceive the quality of the program they attend. This study examined stability and change across time with regard to the relationships between learning environment factors and occupational therapy students' satisfaction with the program. In the two consecutive cross-sectional...

This study aimed to gain knowledge about the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between learning concepts and approaches to studying among occupational therapy students. A repeated cross-sectional design was combined with a longitudinal study design. Self-report questionnaires assessed sociodemo-graphic variables, learning concepts, and...

Studies into relationships between learning environment perceptions, study approaches, and student performance in higher education have largely followed cross-sectional designs. Thus, whether associations are consistent across years of study, is unknown. This presentation reports from two articles that (i) examined associations between occupational...

In health profession student groups, including occupational therapy students, approaches to studying are important for clinical and academic outcomes. However, it is disputed whether higher education students’ approaches to studying are amenable to change. In this study, Norwegian occupational therapy students’ (n=263) approaches to studying were a...

Knowledge about relationships between learning environment variables and students` approaches to studying, may be used to empower students to adopt productive instead of unproductive study approaches. However, few studies have explored such relationships over time. In two consecutive cross-sectional analyses performed in this study, Norwegian occup...

Relationships between learning environment variables and students' approaches to studying have been investigated from many points of view over the last decades. However, few studies have explored whether such relationships are stable over time. In the two consecutive cross-sectional analyses performed in this study, Norwegian occupational therapy s...

Whether higher education students’ approaches to studying are amenable to change, is disputed. In this study, Norwegian occupational therapy students’ (n = 263) approaches to studying were assessed annually across the three-year course, with the aim of exploring changes during the undergraduate study program. Sociodemographic information and the Ap...

Bakgrunn: Mange studier har undersøkt sammenhenger mellom studenters eksamensprestasjoner og deres måter å studere på. Likevel har få studier undersøkt eksamensprestasjoner i sammenheng med både studietilnærminger og oppfatninger av læringsmiljøet. Det er behov for å studere hvordan både individuelle og kontekstuelle faktorer samtidig kan bidra til...

Introduction / Rationale: Research using study approaches and learning environment factors as concurrent predictors of academic performance is sparse. There is a need to disentangle the potentially interrelated influences of individual and contextual factors on students’ academic performance. Objectives: This study aimed to increase the understandi...

While several studies have examined occupational therapy students' study behaviors, no studies to date have examined study behaviors in Norwegian student samples in the context of the learning environment. On this background, a research study: Learning environment and approaches to studying among occupational therapy students, was initiated in 2017...

Background Relationships between students’ academic performance and their employed study approaches have been studied extensively. However, research using study approaches and learning environment factors as concurrent predictors of academic performance is sparse. There is a need to disentangle the potentially interrelated influences of individual...

Date Presented 04/12/21 We examined the psychometric properties of the Self-Efficacy for Therapeutic Use of Self questionnaire by Rasch analysis. The questionnaire was completed by 111 students across four time points. Unidimensionality was confirmed for all three parts of the questionnaire. The rating scales and person response validity need furth...

Background Longitudinal research is one effective way to gauge changes in a student cohort over time, however attrition in these studies is typically high, which can result in study bias. This study explored learning environment factors, approaches to studying, and academic performance as predictors of occupational therapy students’ consistent part...

The data are based on a longitudinal study of occupational therapy students in Norway. Students were invited to respond to a survey in each of the three study years. This study analysed predictors of consistent study participation; that is, responding to the survey in each of the study years. The data allows for replicating the study results.

Background: Relationships between students’ academic performance and their employed study approaches have been studied extensively. However, research using study approaches and learning environment factors as concurrent predictors of academic performance is sparse. There is a need to disentangle the potentially interrelated influences of individual...

Background Productive approaches to studying (deep and strategic learning) are associated with a variety of favourable academic outcomes, and may be of particular importance for students in multifaceted and complex disciplines such as occupational therapy. Aim To explore associations between student characteristics and their dominant approaches to...

Date Presented 03/28/20 We examined the psychometric properties of the Self-Efficacy for Therapeutic Use of Self questionnaire by Rasch analysis. The questionnaire was completed by 111 students across four time points. Unidimensionality was confirmed for all three parts of the questionnaire. The rating scales and person response validity need furth...

The purpose of the current study was to (i) confirm the factor structure of the Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students (ASSIST) in the current sample of undergraduate occupational therapy students, and (ii) to explore the pattern of associations between the 13 ASSIST subscales. Occupational therapy students (n= 171) across Norway comple...

This article focuses on the work conditions of health care workers in supported housing for people with severe mental health problems. It does so by exploring the workers’ experiences of their daily work situations. The article is based on data from a qualitative mental health project within a larger-sized Norwegian municipality. The findings from...

Purpose Student satisfaction is an important indicator of educational quality in higher education institutions. Learning environment factors are assumed to play a role in determining student satisfaction. The purpose of this study is to examine the intrinsic relationships between five learning environment scales embedded within one measure; and exa...

Background: Aspects of the learning environment may be related to students`approaches to studying, but few studies have investigated these relationships in the context of occupational therapy education. Objective: To examine associations between occupational therapy students' perceptions of the learning environment and their approaches to studying...

Students’ approaches to studying have been associated with their academic performance. Although previous research suggests that the cultural and educational context may influence approaches to studying, few studies have investigated differences in study approaches across education programs. The aim of this study was to examine whether approaches to...

Subsequent to the introduction of the Intentional Relationship Model (IRM) in 2008, two IRM-related research projects have been carried out in Norway. The purpose of this paper is to report on the findings from both projects to a Norwegian audience, and to discuss interpretations and implications of the findings. Studies from Project 1 found that o...

Background: Aspects of the learning environment may be related to students` approaches to studying, but few studies have investigated these relationships in the context of occupational therapy education. Objective: To examine associations between occupational therapy students’ perceptions of the learning environment and their approaches to studying...

Background: Aspects of the learning environment may be related to students` approaches to studying, but few studies have investigated these relationships in the context of occupational therapy education. Objective: To examine associations between occupational therapy students’ perceptions of the learning environment and their approaches to studying...

Background: Research suggested combining modern test theory with classical test theory to achieve comprehensive evaluation of an assessment tool. However, the Norwegian Self-Efficacy for Therapeutic Use of Self questionnaire has not yet been examined by the modern test theory. Aims/objective: This study aims to examine psychometric properties of th...

Occupational therapy students need to develop self-efficacy for therapeutic use of self in practice. This longitudinal study examined Norwegian occupational therapy students' self-efficacy for therapeutic use of self over a 16-month period and investigated predictors of their end-point self-efficacy. One hundred and eleven students from two univers...

Learning is a central occupation for university students. How students perceive the learning environment may be particularly important for first year students. Aim of study was to explore first year occupational therapy students’ experiences and perceptions of learning and their learning environment. The study applied a qualitative descriptive des...

Background: The Intentional Relationship Model addresses the use of different therapeutic Approaches according to client needs, but also the therapist’s need to manage the relational challenges that inevitably arise in therapeutic encounters. However, measures of therapist self-efficacy related to managing such challenges have not been previously d...

Introduction/Rationale: The Intentional Relationship Model (IRM) provides concepts for understanding the therapeutic relationship in occupational therapy practice. Two previous studies have focused on therapist communication style, or ‘therapeutic mode’ use, but to date no group comparisons have been reported. Objectives: To explore differences bet...

Introduction Self-efficacy concerned with the therapeutic use of self is important for occupational therapists, and students need to develop the skills and the self-efficacy required to meet interpersonal challenges in practice. This study examined short-term changes in occupational therapy students’ self-efficacy for using therapeutic modes, for r...

Background: The Intentional Relationship Model conceptualizes the therapeutic use of self within occupational therapy. To increase motivation for and success in establishing therapeutic relationships, therapists need self-efficacy for using the self in therapeutic practice. However, attempts to combine this model with self-efficacy theory are ra...

Background. Occupational therapy students need to develop self-efficacy for managing the therapeutic relationship in practice. This study examined the 10-month trajectories of Norwegian students’ self-efficacy for use of self. Methods. Eighty-nine students completed self-efficacy questionnaires related to the use of self after a workshop and at 3...

Background: Research into occupational therapy education and its outcomes for students is growing. More research is needed to determine the factors of importance for occupational therapy students’ academic outcomes. This study aimed to investigate factors associated with academic performance among second-year undergraduate occupational therapy stud...

Background: The Intentional Relationship Model addresses the use of different therapeutic approaches according to client needs, but also the therapist’s need to manage the relational challenges that inevitably arise in therapeutic encounters. However, measures of therapist self-efficacy related to managing such challenges have not been previously d...

Background: Research into occupational therapy students’ approaches to studying is growing, and research has shown approaches to studying to be associated with academic performance. However, learning conceptions and preferences for teaching among occupational therapy students have rarely been reported, and their relationships to study approaches ne...

Background: The Intentional Relationship Model (IRM) is a new model of the therapeutic relationship in occupational therapy practice. Two previous studies have focused on therapist communication style, or ‘mode’ use, but to date no group comparisons have been reported. Aim: To explore differences between occupational therapists and occupational th...

According to the Intentional Relationship Model, the use of therapeutic approaches tailored to individual clients’ needs is essential for building therapeutic relationships. This study investigated factors associated with occupational therapists’ preferred therapeutic approaches. One hundred eight occupational therapists were recruited as a conveni...

Background: In recent years, job satisfaction has become an area of interest within the health professions. Norwegian research on job satisfaction has mainly focused on physicians and nurses, and relatively little research has specifically targeted job satisfaction among occupational therapists internationally. Aim: The study aimed to explore facto...

Background: According to the Intentional Relationship Model (IRM), the intentional use of relational approaches in therapy (therapeutic modes) is essential for obtaining successful relationships to clients. There have been no attempts to combine the IRM with self-efficacy theory, and instruments for measuring self-efficacy for therapeutic mode use...

Background: The intentional relationship model (IRM) proposes six distinct ways of relating to clients. A new instrument for measuring self-efficacy for using the therapeutic modes in occupational therapy practice was recently found to have good psychometric properties. To date, however, no research has investigated factors associated with self-eff...

Background: The Intentional Relationship Model is specifically focused on the relational aspect of therapy. The model describes six therapeutic modes; these represent different types of interaction for the therapist. However, preferences for therapeutic mode use are under researched. Aims: This study aims to describe preferences for therapeutic mo...