Graduate Students and Geropsychology: Growing Need and Lacking Interest Samantha Marie Hague Antioch University, New England
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Antioch University AURA - Antioch University Repository and Archive Student & Alumni Scholarship, including Dissertations & Theses Dissertations & Theses 2017 Graduate Students and Geropsychology: Growing Need and Lacking Interest Samantha Marie Hague Antioch University, New England Follow this and additional works at: http://aura.antioch.edu/etds Part of the Clinical Psychology Commons, Counseling Psychology Commons, and the Other Psychology Commons Recommended Citation Hague, Samantha Marie, "Graduate Students and Geropsychology: Growing Need and Lacking Interest" (2017). Dissertations & Theses. 348. http://aura.antioch.edu/etds/348 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Student & Alumni Scholarship, including Dissertations & Theses at AURA - Antioch University Repository and Archive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations & Theses by an authorized administrator of AURA - Antioch University Repository and Archive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. Running Head: GEROPSYCHOLOGY NEEDS Graduate Students and Geropsychology: Growing Need and Lacking Interest by Samantha Hague B.A., Westfield State University, 2012 M.S., Antioch University New England, 2015 DISSERTATION Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Psychology in the Department of Clinical Psychology Antioch University New England, 2017 Keene, New Hampshire GEROPSYCHOLOGY NEEDS ii Department of Clinical Psychology DISSERTATION COMMITTEE PAGE The undersigned have examined the dissertation entitled: GRADUATE STUDENTS AND GEROPSYCHOLOGY: GROWING NEED AND LACKING INTEREST presented on March 9, 2017 by Samantha M. Hague Candidate for the degree of Doctor of Psychology and hereby certify that it is accepted*. Dissertation Committee Chairperson: Roger L. Peterson, PhD, ABPP Dissertation Committee members: Gina Pasquale, PsyD Amanda Hitchings, PsyD Accepted by the Department of Clinical Psychology Chairperson George Tremblay, PhD 3/9/17 *Signatures are on file with the Registrar’s Office at Antioch University New England. GEROPSYCHOLOGY NEEDS iii For Grandma Weezie GEROPSYCHOLOGY NEEDS iv Acknowledgements I have endless appreciation for my high school sweetheart and best friend, Daniel. There have been countless times when the only factor that gave me energy to keep pushing myself was picturing our life together after graduation. You ground me, make me laugh, and remind me of what is most important. Thank you for your patience, willingness, and encouragement. I love you and everything that our relationship stands for. My amazing big sister, Brittany—you have been by my side supporting me since my very first breath. Through all that life has thrown at us, I have always been able to depend on your love, humor, kindness, and motivation. Thank you for teaching me to be strong, confident, and fearless. You are such an inspiration to me. I love you, sister! My mom and dad—I will never be able to thank you enough for the sacrifices you have made to support all of my dreams. Whether it was driving me in a snow storm, making sure I had the perfect interview outfit, or moving me into my own apartment, you have been there. You have prayed for me, listened to my struggles, wiped my tears, and believed in me every step of the way. No matter what directions life takes us in, we will always be an unstoppable team. I love you both so much. On Day 1 at Antioch, I had no idea how well fate had taken care of me as I joined such a beautiful group of people, my Rorshark cohort. We laughed, cried, celebrated, and worked hard together and I am simply honored to be a part of this group. Alexandra, Aili—my rock(s)! Car rides, candy store trips, matching days. There are no words possible to express how grateful I am to have had your love and support during the hardest years of my life. Your friendships are two of the greatest gifts from my time at Antioch. I love you both so much! Rorsharks, we did it! GEROPSYCHOLOGY NEEDS v I would like to thank Dr. Janet Gebelt, my advisor and favorite professor from Westfield State University. Your passion for your life and career, as well as your belief in me, ignited my desire to earn my doctorate degree. Thank you for pushing me, advocating for me, and supporting me in every step of my journey. You and Josie hold a special place in my heart. Thank you to the members of my committee, Gina and Amanda. You both have played a special role in my professional development and have provided real-life examples of the kind of psychologist I want to become. I am unbelievably grateful to have worked with you both; I appreciate your genuineness and enthusiasm while being so dedicated to supporting my goals! Roger, I have felt so blessed to have you by my side throughout this program. I truly feel that you are not only an inspiring mentor and brilliant scholar, but also a wonderful friend. Your support, thoughtfulness, and encouragement have meant the world to me. I am honored to have worked with you while at Antioch and I am glad that our friendship will be ongoing. Thank you! GEROPSYCHOLOGY NEEDS vi Table of Contents Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................... iv Abstract ......................................................................................................................................... 1 Graduate Students and Geropsychology: Growing Need and Lacking Interest ........................... 3 Literature Review.......................................................................................................................... 6 Key Concepts: Defining “Elderly” .......................................................................................... 6 Conceptualizing the Growing Need ......................................................................................... 7 Application to Clinical Psychology ......................................................................................... 9 Intersection with Social Justice ........................................................................................... 10 Intersection with Diversity .................................................................................................. 11 Intersection with Ethics....................................................................................................... 12 Intersection with Developmental Psychology .................................................................... 14 Current Elderly Mental Health Treatment ............................................................................... 15 Therapy Approaches with the Elderly ................................................................................ 18 Reminiscence Therapy .................................................................................................. 19 Transference .................................................................................................................. 21 Myths ........................................................................................................................... 21 College Courses on Aging ....................................................................................................... 22 Suggestions for Improvement .................................................................................................. 23 Attitudes .............................................................................................................................. 25 Knowledge .......................................................................................................................... 26 Skills ................................................................................................................................... 26 Institute of Medicine’s Report to Congress ........................................................................ 26 Method .......................................................................................................................................... 29 GEROPSYCHOLOGY NEEDS vii Study Design ............................................................................................................................ 29 Participants ............................................................................................................................... 29 Demographic Frequencies ................................................................................................. 30 Measure .................................................................................................................................... 33 Procedure ................................................................................................................................. 38 Statistical Analysis ................................................................................................................... 38 Results ........................................................................................................................................... 41 Education in Geropsychology .................................................................................................. 41 Overall Quality of Education in Geropsychology .............................................................. 42 Availability of Geropsychology Courses ............................................................................ 42 Integration of Geropsychology into Coursework