What geropsychology trainees think geropsychologists do and what we actually do: A mixed-methods Study

ABSTRACT

A shortage of individuals in academic geropsychology positions further perpetuates the shortage of clinicians trained to meet the needs of the aging population. Barriers to recruiting geropsychology trainees into academia and what attracts trainees into career paths within geropsychology are not understood. The current mixed-methods study examined 1) geropsychology trainees’ (n = 28) knowledge and attitudes toward work in clinical or academic positions and 2) professional geropsychologists (n = 67) activities, career expectations, ideal activities, and work/life balance. We asked geropsychology trainees to estimate the amount of time their supervisors spent in clinical, research, education, and administrative activities, and professional geropsychologists reported how they currently spent their time in these same activities. We conducted qualitative interviews asking geropsychology trainees about experiences in academic or clinical settings and geropsychologists about career expectations, opportunities, and work/life balance. Geropsychology trainees had less accurate estimates of academic work time compared to clinically focused work time. Trainee interviews revealed negative perceptions of the university system, including bureaucracy, low salary, and perceived workload. Professional geropsychologists reported high agreement between actual and ideal work time with some individual differences. Each group discussed work–life balance, based on career stage or work setting. Interventions for recruiting more geropsychology trainees into academic jobs are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Geropsychology
• psychology training
• geropsychology training
• job satisfaction
• workforce shortages
• psychology faculty

Acknowledgments

The contents of this paper do not represent the views of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense, or the United States Government. Dr. Strong was partially supported by the Office of Academic Affiliations, Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Boston System. Dr. Tighe is supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Academic Affiliations Advanced Fellowship Program in Mental Illness Research and Treatment and the Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System.

This research was supported by the Council of Professional Geropsychology Training Programs (CoPGTP) and the Society of Clinical Geropsychology. The contents of this paper do not represent the views or mission of these professional organizations.