ABSTRACT
Objectives
This experimental study examined health bias in mental health trainees’ ratings of work with an older adult client and whether differences based on health were moderated by aging anxiety and ageist attitudes.
Methods
Graduate-level mental health trainees (N = 488) were randomly assigned to read a vignette of an older adult client in good health or poor health, after which they rated aspects of clinical work with this client and completed measures of aging anxiety and ageist attitudes.
Results
Trainees rated clinical work with the unhealthy older adult client more negatively than with the healthy older adult client. Health-based differences were larger at average and higher levels of ageist attitudes when considering the appropriateness of the client for therapy and at average and higher levels of aging anxiety for perceived competence to treat and comfort in treating the presenting complaint.
Conclusions
Trainees’ health bias toward older adults may be magnified by higher aging anxiety and ageist attitudes. Training programs’ intervention on these variables may improve geropsychological competencies of future mental health professionals.
Clinical Implications
Quality of mental health care for older adult clients may be compromised when biases about older adults, particularly those in poor health, are not addressed.
Clinical implications
Trainees’ ratings of work with older adult clients may be more negative for clients in poorer health.
Ageist attitudes and aging anxiety may magnify trainees’ health bias toward older adult clients.
Graduate training programs could address trainees’ potential health and age biases in clinical work by providing education on the aging process as well as facilitating positive contact with older adults.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Data availability statement
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request by email.