INTENTION TO LEAVE OR STAY WITHIN THE PROFESSION AMONGST PSYCHOLOGISTS : Factors affecting newly graduated psychologists’ intention to leave the profession

Abstract: When recently graduated psychologists leave the profession, it can have a negative impact on the quality and continuity of care as well as resulting in socioeconomic costs. This study set out to investigate what personal and contextual factors affect newly graduated psychologists' intention to leave the profession (ITLP) over time. Longitudinal data was collected using a survey over three waves: 2017, 2018 and 2019. The participants were newly graduated psychologists in Sweden (n=346) who had answered two consecutive surveys. Logistic regressions were made, with the dependent variable ITLP. The independent variables were: sector (public or private), occupational self-efficacy, work related psychological flexibility, role stress. emotional demands, job satisfaction, social support (from colleagues, supervisor and family), transition between studies and internship, transition between internship and employment and sickness absence. Results showed that job satisfaction, social support from supervisors and the transition between internship and employment had a significant effect on the newly graduated psychologists’ ITLP over time. Due to data limitations some hypothesized relationships might not have been detected. Further research is needed to clarify what affects psychologists’ ITLP over time.