The Later Life Depression Knowledge Questionnaire (LLD-KQ): Development and Initial Validation

Later life depression is an important mental health concern requiring knowledge and skill competencies for behavioral health providers. This study developed and evaluated the initial validity of the Later Life Depression Knowledge Questionnaire (LLD-KQ) as a measure of clinical knowledge of later life depression.

Domain identification, item generation, and content validity were first explored with five geropsychologists. Initially drafted questions were pre-tested with 10 additional geropsychologists. A pool of prospective survey items was administered to licensed masters-level social workers (n = 300) for individual item examination, confirmatory factor analyses testing 1- and 3-factor models, and initial estimates of reliability and validity.

From the pool of items pertaining to three identified domains (i.e. psychopathology, assessment/diagnosis, and treatment), 25 items were retained for the final LLD-KQ. The three-factor CFA model did not demonstrate adequacy above that of the single factor CFA model. The results provide initial support for internal consistency and construct validity.

Initial psychometric support for the LLD-KQ was observed while further research on scale dimensionality is warranted.

The LLD-KQ may advance research on behavioral health providers' knowledge of later life depression to evaluate the current state of specialized knowledge in mental health and aging.