CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS JUDGMENTS OF OLDER ADULT PATIENTS WITH CHARACTER PATHOLOGY - IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

The most rapidly growing segment of the U.S. population is elderly, an d an increasing number of older adults are expected to seek psychologi cal services. Concerns have previously been expressed about the impact of psychologists' attitudes toward elderly patients on their clinical practice. This exploratory study examined the diagnostic, treatment, and attitudinal responses of 186 psychologists toward a patient portra yed in a clinical vignette that varied by age (46, 66, 86 years) and p athology (depression vs. depression with borderline personality disord er). Psychologists with specialized gerontological training were more likely to make age-related diagnostic decisions and treatment recommen dations.