Why don’t you want to work with older adults? comparing students with and without an interest in geropsychology

Geropsychology recruitment efforts might be facilitated or impeded by the aging-related beliefs, attitudes and life experiences of students. This exploratory study consisted of an online survey comparing students who reported having an interest in treating older adults (“Interested”) to those with little to no interest (“Uninterested”). Respondents (n= 47) were graduate students enrolled in a counseling program, 98% female, with a mean age of 36.38 (SD= 9.61). Interested students (n= 25) were more racially and ethnically diverse (56% African American, Latinx, Asian or other, and 44% Caucasian students). Uninterested students (n= 19) were 68% Caucasian and 32% African American, Latinx, or other. T-tests revealed several significant differences between groups. The Uninterested were significantly more likely to endorse a desire to avoid sick or dying clients (p<0.0001), a belief that work with older adults would be depressing (p=0.001) or challenging (p=0.003), and a belief that they lacked sufficient life experience to treat this population (p=0.03). Further, 32% (n= 8) of Interested students had experienced the death of a parent, compared to only 11% (n= 2) of Uninterested students. Results suggest that Uninterested students may carry misconceptions about clinical work with older adults. Through targeted education, mentorship, and field experience, such beliefs might be malleable. Differences in beliefs about aging across racial and ethnic groups, and how this may influence interest in geropsychology, warrants further investigation. Lastly, future research may also explore if certain life experiences sensitize and inspire individuals to enter this field.