Internal Structure and Convergent Validity Evidence of Scores on Barriers to Counseling Measures Among Older Adults in the United States

Older adults are one of the most rapidly growing populations in the United States and have distinct mental health needs. Many older adults can be reluctant to seek counseling due to stigma and other barriers; however, the specific barriers are not well understood. Screening tools with valid scores can help counselors understand barriers to counseling among older adults. Counselors have a responsibility to test the psychometric properties of screening tools before using them for clinical or research purposes. We tested the psychometric properties of three screening tools for measuring barriers to counseling with a sample of older adults in the United States, including the Stigma Scale for Receiving Psychological Help (SSRPH), the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help—Short Form (ATSPPH‐SF) scale, and the Revised Fit, Stigma, and Value (RFSV) scale. Findings supported the utility of the RFSV scale and the SSRPH for use with older adults. We offer practical implications for how counselors can apply these tools to assess and address counseling barriers among older adults.