Theses and Dissertations

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Date of Award

1-1-2026

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

First Advisor

Ashley Stripling

Keywords

competency; geropsychology; practicum; self-reported; student; trainee

Abstract

Population aging has increased the need for trainees to acquire competencies in assessment, intervention, and consultation for older adults. Despite notable advancement in geropsychology training over the past few decades, relatively little is known about the development of self-reported geropsychology competency during doctoral practicum training. The purpose of this study was to examine the development of self-reported geropsychology competency among doctoral psychology trainees completing a year-long geropsychology practicum. Fifty doctoral psychology trainees completed the Pikes Peak Geropsychology Knowledge and Skill Assessment Tool at baseline and at the end of three consecutive semesters from 2015 to 2026. Linear mixed-effects models were used to examine changes in Overall Geropsychology competency and the subsequent Pikes Peak Geropsychology competency domains (i.e. General Aing Knowledge, Foundations, Assessment, Intervention, and Consultation) over time and by practicum level. Results demonstrated significant increases in Overall Geropsychology competency, General Aging Knowledge, Foundations, Assessment, Intervention, and Consultation across the practicum year. The main effect of time was significant during the first two semesters for all domains, and Consultation demonstrated continued significance during the final semester. Trainees completing a second practicum placement reported higher Assessment competency in comparison to first year practicum trainees. However, competency trajectories did not differ by practicum level for any of the domains. Overall, trainees progressed from the novice range at baseline to the intermediate to advanced range of self-reported competency by the completion of practicum. Implications of this study support the use of the Pikes Peak Geropsychology Knowledge and Skill Assessment Tool as a longitudinal measure for evaluating self-reported competency development during doctoral psychology training.

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