AbstractsPsychology

The projected increased in the number of older adults in the United States will likely challenge the mental health care system. Within this context of expected increased demand for mental health services, geropsychology stands to be a likely growth area of practice. Fostering student interest in pursuing specialized training with this underserved population is an important area of exploration. Social cognitive career theory (SCCT) provides a unifying framework for understanding the process of developing professional interest and career choice (Lent et al., 1994). The present study examined the relationships between career interest development in the Lent et al. (1994) model of SCCT as they pertain to clinical psychology doctoral students (n=126) and the field of geropsychology. This survey-based study examined the relationship between the variables of the SCCT model of interest development, including geropsychology self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and interest. Additional factors such as age, gender, race, knowledge regarding aging, as well as educational and clinical experience were also investigated. Analyses were conducted using correlations, multiple regression, and independent sample t-tests. Results support the SCCT model with positive relationships being found among SCCT variables. The role of knowledge, clinical contact, and graduate coursework in geropsychology is also discussed. This study provides initial evidence that the model of SCCT can be used in understanding interest development in working with this population. Future research should pursue additional work in measurement construction and the possibility of interventions focused on promoting interest in practice with this underserved population.