scholarly journals Factors associated with gerontological career choice: The role of curriculum type and students’ attitudes

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung-Ah Lee ◽  
Dana Rose Garfin ◽  
Stephanie Vaughn ◽  
Young-Shin Lee
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Nursing Students ◽  
Career Choice ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Nursing Schools ◽  
Adult Care ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Gerontological Nursing ◽  
Attitudes Toward Older Adults

Background and objective: Caring for a growing aging population presents a challenge in contemporary health care. This study aims to identify factors associated with nursing student’s career choice in older adult care and predictors of attitudes toward older adults. Such information is critical to inform effective gerontological nursing education.Methods: Undergraduate nursing students (N = 411) from three nursing schools in California participated in a cross-sectional, web-based survey.Results: In covariate-adjusted analyses, students who had prior experiences taking gerontology-related courses, working with older adults, living with older adults, being confident in providing older adults care, and having lower negative attitudes toward older adults were more likely to consider a future career in gerontological nursing. Students’ confidence in older adult care was negatively correlated with negative attitudes towards older adults.Conclusions: To increase students’ career choice in gerontology, nursing schools should provide more gerontology content in nursing curricula and explore avenues to increase student confidence in older adult care. 

scholarly journals The Moderating Role of Empathy Profiles in the Relationship Between Knowledge About Aging and Attitudes Toward Older Adults Among Nursing Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gui-Ying Yao ◽  
Yan-Yan Luo ◽  
Zhi-Min Zhao ◽  
Bo Zhu ◽  
Min Gao
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Nursing Students ◽  
Older People ◽  
Latent Profile Analysis ◽  
Chinese Version ◽  
Reactivity Index ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Attitudes Toward Older Adults ◽  
Moderating Role

Knowledge about aging (KA) and empathy affect nursing students’ attitudes toward older adults. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon from an integrated, person-centered perspective. The purposes of the present study were (1) to identify empathy profiles based on the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) among Chinese nursing students and (2) to explore whether these latent empathy profiles moderate the association between KA and attitudes toward older people. A cross-sectional survey design was used, and a battery of questionnaires – including those on demographic information, the Chinese version of Palmore’s Facts on Aging Quiz (C-FAQ), the Chinese version of Kogan’s Attitude Toward Older People Scale (C-KAOP), and the IRI – was filled in by 622 Chinese nursing students (Mage 21.76; SD = 1.33). The mean total scores on KAOP and C-FAQ were 164.96 ± 18.32 and 10.436 ± 3.015, respectively, indicating relatively positive attitudes toward older people but low KA among Chinese nursing students. Latent profile analysis was used to identify a three-profile solution characterized by distinct levels of four dimensions of empathy, namely average empathy (AE, n = 399), high empathy (HE, n = 42), and low empathy (LE, n = 181). Subsequent linear regression analysis revealed that the LE rather than the HE profile predicted positive attitudes toward older adults. It is worth noting that the LE profile played a remarkable moderating role in associations between KA and negative attitudes toward older adults after controlling for covariant variables. Both the identification of distinct empathy profiles and the interplay between the LE profile and KA are of significance in reducing negative attitudes toward older adults among Chinese nursing students. Nursing educators should combine improving nursing students’ levels of KA and fostering greater empathy to reduce negative attitudes toward older adults. Such training should give priority to nursing students with LE.

scholarly journals Roles of Knowledge and Attitude in the Willingness of Nursing Students to Care for Older Adults in Hong Kong

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 7757
Author(s):  
Winnie Lai-Sheung Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Nursing Students ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Ageing Population ◽  
Adult Care ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Nursing Curricula ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Knowledge And Attitude

Due to the ageing population, nursing students will be more likely to work with older adults after graduation. It is important to assess whether Hong Kong nursing students are well prepared to care for older adults. A convenience sample of 139 nursing students was surveyed using questionnaires: Palmore’s Facts on Ageing Quiz (FAQ), Kogan’s Attitudes Toward Old People scale (KAOP), and the Willingness to Care for Older People (WCOP) scale to assess the knowledge of and attitudes toward older adult care, and willingness to care for older adults, respectively. The overall score in the FAQ was medium-low (mean = 15.1, SD = 2.8). The KAOP score was medium-high (mean = 121.6, SD = 12.0). The willingness score was slightly high (mean = 5.2, SD = 1.1). Positive attitudes and knowledge about ageing are the predictors of nursing students’ willingness to take care of older adults. The findings provide evidence to nurse educators and clinical mentors that (a) courses providing knowledge about ageing are valuable, and (b) elements that cultivate positive attitudes towards older adult care should be included in curricula. Nursing curricula that provide knowledge and experience about older adult care play a pivotal role in creating a workforce of nurses ready and willing to care for the ever growing number of ageing adults.

scholarly journals Starting an Older Adult Lecture for First Semester Nursing Students With a Truth or Myth Game

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 14-14
Author(s):  
Lynn Brown ◽  
Pao-feng Tsai
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Nursing Students ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Final Exam ◽  
Negative Stereotypes ◽  
First Semester ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
New Information

Abstract False ideas about the physical and psychosocial characteristics of older adults exist in America. It is especially important that nurses are not susceptible to myths and stereotypes as these myths can affect the quality of patient care. For example, some people stereotype older adults as forgetful, disabled, ill, and unable to understand new information. Misconceptions and negative stereotypes are also present in first year nursing students. It is vital that students assess their own attitudes about older adults to form positive attitudes and gain knowledge about aging and health care needs. To achieve this goal, the older adult lecture in a first semester theory and fundamental course begins with a PowerPoint slide presentation asking students to distinguish truths and myths. The truth or myth topics include a) developmental tasks; b) common physiological changes; c) a comparison of delirium, dementia, and depression; and d) addressing health concerns of older adults. Active discussion follows the activity. Seventy to ninety percent of students correctly answered nine of ten questions related to older adult content on the final exam. Considering the increasing number of older adults in the health care setting, nurse educators must dismantle negative stereotypes with creative teaching strategies.

scholarly journals EMERGING ADULT CAREGIVERS: PERCEPTIONS OF OLDER ADULT CARE RECIPIENTS, QUALITY OF CONTACT, AND AGEISM

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S952-S952
Author(s):  
Anastasia E Canell ◽  
Grace Caskie
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Social Role ◽  
Emerging Adult ◽  
Care Recipient ◽  
Adult Care ◽  
Care Recipients ◽  
Adult Caregivers ◽  
Quality Of Contact

Abstract Approximately 12-18% of family caregivers to older adults in the U.S. are 18-25 years old (i.e., emerging adulthood), yet minimal research has focused on this subgroup of caregivers (Levine, 2005; Smyth, Blaxland, & Cass, 2011). Individuals’ perceptions of an older adult’s social role relate to their attitudes toward older adults as a group (Hummert, 1999; Kite & Wagner, 2002). However, whether perceptions that emerging adult caregivers hold of older adults are specific to the social role of “care-recipient” has not been studied. A sample of 210 informal caregivers (ages 18-25) were surveyed to collect qualitative responses regarding perceptions of an older adult care-recipient (age 65+) and to assess quality of contact with the care-recipient and ageist attitudes. Participants were asked to provide five adjectives describing their older adult care-recipient. Approximately 43% provided a set of adjectives in which 80%-100% were coded as positive adjectives (e.g., “active”, “wise”); similarly, half of the sample’s adjective sets contained 0%-25% negative adjectives (e.g., “helpless”, “obnoxious”). The quality of contact with the care-recipient was significantly correlated (p<.001) with the percentage of positive (r=.47) and negative (r=-.49) adjectives. Scores on the Fraboni Scale of Ageism were also significantly correlated (p<.01) with the percentage of positive (r=-.19) and negative (r=.20) adjectives. Overall, these emerging adult caregivers had generally positive perceptions of their older adult care-recipients, and these perceptions reflected the positive quality of contact with the care-recipient. Less ageist attitudes’ relationship with more positive and less negative perceptions may have implications for experiences within a caregiving dyad.

scholarly journals Gender Differences are Noted in Factors Associated with Insomnia in Older Adult Outpatients: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Ting Peng ◽  
Ying-Hsin Hsu ◽  
Ming-Yueh Chou ◽  
Che-sheng Chu ◽  
Chen-San Su ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Gender Differences ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Short Sleep Duration ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Sleeping Pills ◽  
Obstructive Sleep

Abstract Background: Insomnia is a common sleep disturbance in older adults and is associated with many poor health outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the relevance of insomnia in older adult outpatients and to analyze differences between genders in factors associated with insomnia.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the outpatient clinics of a tertiary hospital in Southern Taiwan from July to September 2018. A total of 400 consecutive subjects aged 60 years or older were recruited. Insomnia was defined as a score of > 6 points on the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS). Socio-demographics, health behaviors and clinical data were collected by face-to-face interview. Multivariable logistic regression was adopted for statistical analysis of the entire sample and stratified by gender.Results: Participants’ mean age was 74.74 ± 8.54 years, and the majority (93%) had more than one chronic disease. The prevalence of insomnia accounted for 30% (120/400) of all subjects, with males 22.9% (46/201) and females 37.2% (74/199). Gender, appetite, exercise, depressive symptoms, and sleep-related conditions such as short sleep duration, sleeping pills usage, medium-high risk of obstructive sleep apnea(OSA) and restless leg syndrome(RLS) were factors associated with insomnia in older adults. Exercise, sleeping pills usage, and RLS had an independent association with insomnia only in men, while appetite was associated with insomnia in women only.Conclusions: Insomnia is highly prevalent among older adults, predominantly females. Significant differences are found between genders in factors associated with insomnia. Understanding gender differences may help clinicians to modify associated factors when managing older adults with insomnia.

scholarly journals Interviewing an Elder: Students’ Perceptions of Change in an Introduction to Gerontology Classroom

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 102-102
Author(s):  
Sarah Hahn
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Thematic Analysis ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
High Impact ◽  
High Impact Practices ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Attitudes Toward Older Adults

Abstract Within the gerontological classroom, high-impact practices and creative assignments have consistently shown to help engage students, optimize learning, and increase positive attitudes toward older adults and aging (e.g., Chonody, 2015; Yamashita, et al., 2018). One such creative assignment, interviewing an older adult, has been cited as both an influential and valuable experience to gerontology students (e.g., O’Hanlon & Brookover, 2002). Although this assignment has been popular in and out of gerontology courses, more data regarding this and student’s understanding is needed. As such, this presentation aims to 1) introduce and establish the value of using the written assignment, "Interview an Elder" in the gerontology classroom and 2) present preliminary qualitative data on how students’ perceptions of older adults changed after the assignment. Using thematic analysis, results suggest that students are not only surprised by what they learned, but have increased positive perceptions of older adults overall.

scholarly journals Impact of the Geriatric Medication Game® on nursing students' empathy and attitudes toward older adults

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleda M.H. Chen ◽  
Mary E. Kiersma ◽  
Karen S. Yehle ◽  
Kimberly S. Plake
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Nursing Students ◽  
Attitudes Toward Older Adults

Expectations for Communication with Positive and Negative Subtypes of Older Adults

1998 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jake Harwood ◽  
Angie Williams
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Older Adult ◽  
Communication Apprehension ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Intergenerational Communication ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Age Identity ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
To Receive

The study uses a recently-developed scale for eliciting perceptions, expectations, and evaluations of intergenerational communication. As predicted, it is found that younger adults expect to experience more anxiety, receive more complaining, and receive lower levels of attunement from an older adult who is portrayed as “despondent” than one who is portrayed as a “perfect grandparent.” In addition, younger adults with more negative attitudes toward older adults expect to experience more negative affect, anxiety, and communication apprehension, to feel more compassion for the older adult, and to receive lower levels of attunement and more complaining from the older adult than those with more positive attitudes. Surprisingly, younger adults with higher levels of young age identification expect to experience lower levels of apprehension, more attunement from the older adult, and to feel more compassion for the older adult than those with lower levels of age identity. These findings are discussed in terms of theoretical models of intergenerational communication, in particular the communication predicament model. In addition, younger people's feelings of having “helped” an older person are discussed in the context of intergroup theory.

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