Assessing psychologists' knowledge of geriatric depression: a validation study of the Later Life Depression Knowledge...

Geriatric depression is an important mental health concern that generalist behavioral health clinicians are increasingly likely to encounter, yet the field lacks an adequate tool to assess providers' knowledge. This study evaluated the validity, reliability, and factor structure of the Later Life Depression Knowledge Questionnaire (LLD-KQ) as part of an ongoing effort to assess the psychometric properties of the scale.

Psychologists (N = 800) from the southwestern United States were randomly selected to complete a survey that could be returned via postal service or online. Responses were used to examine the internal consistency, construct validity, divergent validity, and factor structure of the 25-item scale.

Analysis of the returned surveys (n = 250) revealed that the LLD-KQ demonstrated adequate reliability and validity. Confirmatory factor analyses (CFA) supported a three-factor model with constructs of psychopathology, assessment/diagnosis, and treatment, although the differences between the three-factor and single-factor models were minimal.

The LLD-KQ demonstrates adequate psychometric properties and can be used in dissemination and implementation efforts, as well as in professional trainings, to assess clinical knowledge about later-life depression.