(PS6-53) The LGB+ Aging Knowledge Questionnaire: Preliminary Reliability and Validity

Abstract Text: The provision of inclusive affirming therapies to older LGBTQ+ adults requires providers to be knowledgeable about this population, yet few tools exist to evaluate continuing education programs. This poster will describe the development and initial psychometric characteristics of a new LGB+ Aging Knowledge Questionnaire. A panel of LGBTQ+ experts assisted in the creation of a 25-item pool with a true, false, don’t know response format. Participants (N = 426) were administered the pool of items as part of a larger study examining predictors of attitudes towards LGB+ older adults. Exploratory factor analysis suggested a final scale consisting of nine items followed by a CFA testing a single factor model. Fit statistics indicate an acceptable fit for a one factor model χ² (27) = 37.232, p = .09; RMSEA = .103, SRMR = .076, CFI = .91, TLI = .89) with strong internal consistency ( KR-20 = .76). Marginally weaker fit statistics for the robust TLI ( < .90) and RMSEA ( > .10) suggest the importance for further investigations with different samples to determine the most appropriate factor structure. Examination of convergent and discriminant validity indices also lend support to this new scale. The LGB+ Aging Knowledge Questionnaire may be a useful means of documenting providers’ knowledge and evaluating continuing education programs focused on improving competencies in affirming and inclusive therapies with older adults.