Characteristics of Lifelong Learners in the Human Service Professions

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop a profile of lifelong learners in human service professions. One hundred and ninety-five human service professionals responded to the instrument, Characteristics of Lifelong Learners in the Professions (CLLP), developed by the researcher. CLLP items were subjected to principal components analysis followed by a Varimax rotation. The extracted factors and selected demographic variables were then subjected to multiple regression analysis in order to predict the average number of hours spent in learning activities per month. The amount of variance in learning explained by the independent variable was not sufficient to develop a profile of lifelong learners. However, two factors identified as predictors of lifelong learning-Educability and Future orientation—can be developed and/or encouraged in preservice and continuing education programs.