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The aim of this study was to investigate the attitudes of private hospital managers towards giving employment opportunities to Saudi university graduates of psychology and social work. Relevant literature highlighting the role of both psychological therapy and medical social work was reviewed. Then, a questionnaire for assessing private hospital managers attitudes was designed and administered to a sample of private hospital managers in Riyadh and Jeddah. The data was analyzed through a number of statistical techniques. The results indicated that hospital managers showed positive attitudes towards both psychology and social work graduates with regard to graduates level of qualifications, compliance with work rules, and level of productivity. On the other hand, managers expressed negative attitudes towards the graduates with regard to graduates work experience. In addition, managers expressed preference for employing non-Saudis to Saudis because non-Saudis accept lower salaries than the Saudis. The results also revealed significant differnces between managers attitudes towards psychology graduates and social work graduates (p>0.05 to p>0.001). In the light of the present findings, recommendations and suggestions for improving employment opportunities were stated.

Keywords: Attitudes, Private hospitals, Psychology graduates, Social work graduates, Saudi graduates, Manpower.