Effects of Policy in Clinical Psychology classes on the attitudes of female university students toward the local community

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to elucidate the effects of Policy in Clinical Psychology classes on the attitudes of female university students toward the local community. A questionnaire survey was conducted on 83 students (mean age, 18.9 years) before and after the course. The questionnaire asked about 1) length of residence, 2) the local area to which subjects felt the closest, 3) form of residence, and 4) attitude toward the local community of residence (14 items; three factors, “independent involvement in the community”, “attachment to the local area”, and “relationship to policies”). Comparison of responses to item 2) before and after the course showed that a significantly high number of subjects selected an area outside of the area of residence before the course and the area of residence after the course. Analysis of variance was conducted for item 4) with the period before and after the course as the intrasubject factor and length of residence as the intersubject factor, and showed a significantly higher score after the course for independent involvement in the community. Scores for attachment to the local area were significantly higher after the course, and the short-term group had a significantly lower score than the mid-term and long-term groups. Scores for relationship to policies were significantly higher after the course compared to before the course only in the long-term residence group.