Psychologist trainee clinical judgments of older adult clients

Abstract

With the steady growth of the population of older adults in the U.S., there is an ever-growing need to prepare more mental healthcare providers to work with older adult clients. However, decades of research indicate that clinicians may hold clinical biases toward older adults. The present study sought to explore current doctoral trainee clinical judgments of older adult clients. Results indicated that trainees rated themselves as less competent working with older clients than compared to younger clients. A positive relationship was also found between attitudes and trainees' perception of an older adult client's ability to form a therapeutic relationship. Additionally, increased training in aging-related topics was correlated with more positive attitudes toward older adult clients. Trainees' reports indicate a need for training programs and agencies to develop an emphasis on working with older adult clients in order to meet the mental health needs of this growing population.