Abstract

This retrospective study uses qualitative and quantitative methods to explore the degree to which students feel prepared to provide competent treatment to older adults. By all accounts, our population is aging at a rapid rate. Since multicultural competence became a major issue of interest, little research has focused on psychological training in the area of aging. Therefore, we analyzed survey responses from 90 students in psychology graduate programs throughout the United States. Using qualitative data analysis, which includes identification and interpretation of themes and patterns observed in response to questions on awareness, knowledge, and skills applied to a vignette condition, we determined the frequency with which responses correlated to themes and patterns found in the American Psychological Association Guidelines for Psychological Practice with Older Adults (2003; 2013). Results of our qualitative data analysis revealed that although students reported being prepared to treat older adults, they do not demonstrate the multicultural competence needed to treat this population. Thus, training programs for emerging clinicians may not be adequately meeting training needs. Implications and recommendations for training will be discussed. Future research should focus on establishing effective methods of training emerging clinicians to treat the older adult population.