Exploring relationships to three types of occupation perceptions: forced to stay in occupation, voluntary occupation withdrawal intent, and involuntary occupation withdrawal.

This study explored the relationships of demographic, work perception, work attitude, and limited occupation alternative variables to three distinct types of occupation perceptions: forced to stay in occupation (FTSO), voluntary occupation withdrawal intent (VOWI), and involuntary occupation withdrawal (IOW). An online sample of massage therapists and bodywork practitioners constituted the study sample. Hierarchical regression analyses for each occupation perception utilized slightly different sample sizes (i.e., FTSO, n = 1,982; VOWI, n = 2,039; IOW, n = 2,028) to test the study hypotheses. Regression results suggested some differential correlates for each perception, including the following: education level was negatively related to FTSO whereas occupation identification was positively related to FTSO, realistic expectations were negatively related to VOWI, and years in practice was positively related to IOW. Perceived limited occupational alternatives were positively related to FTSO but negatively related to VOWI. There were also common correlates across these perceptions. For example, work exhaustion had a positive relationship to FTSO, VOWI, and IOW. Affective occupational commitment was positively related to FTSO but negatively related to VOWI and IOW. Social desirability response bias had a consistently negative but minimal impact on these occupation perceptions. Despite acknowledged limitations, this study is unique in comparing such occupation perceptions and hopefully will stimulate additional research using other allied health samples.