The relationship among counselor demographic, training, and employment variables and self-reported multicultural and gerontological counseling competence

As the "Baby Boom" population ages, the geriatric population will grow to be the largest cohort in history. Elders are considered to be members of a diverse population and, therefore, topics related to older adulthood should be addressed within multicultural training. The purpose of this study was to understand the relationship among counselor demographic variables, training variables, employment variables, attitudes toward the geriatric population, and self-reported multicultural counseling competence. Participants consisted of graduate students in both CACREP and non-CACREP accredited counseling programs, master's and doctoral level practitioners, and counselor educators. No statistically significant relationship was found between demographic, training, or employment variables and participants' self-reported multicultural counseling competence. No statistically significant relationship was found between training or employment variables and participants' attitudes regarding the geriatric population. A statistically significant relationship was found between the demographic variable of race/ethnicity and participants' attitudes regarding the geriatric population. A statistically significant negative correlation was found between participants' attitudes regarding the geriatric population and their self-reported multicultural counseling competence. Implications for future research and considerations counselors, counselor trainees, and counselor educators are discussed.