First Year Graduate Social Work Students' Knowledge of and attitude Toward Older Adults

The present study examined attitudes and knowledge of 96 first year MSW social work students toward older adults using the Aging Semantic Differential (ASD) and the Facts on Aging Quiz II. Results suggest that the sample had limited previous contact with older adults and little knowledge about aging...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Educational gerontology 2003-01, Vol.29 (1), p.1-16
Main Authors: Gellis, Zvi D., Sherman, Susan, Lawrance, Frances
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aging (Individuals)
Graduate Study
Higher Education
Knowledge Level
Negative Attitudes
Older Adults
Social Work
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Summary:The present study examined attitudes and knowledge of 96 first year MSW social work students toward older adults using the Aging Semantic Differential (ASD) and the Facts on Aging Quiz II. Results suggest that the sample had limited previous contact with older adults and little knowledge about aging prior to admission. Students reported negative attitudes toward older adults on productivity, adapting to change, independence, and optimism. In multivariate models, male gender and younger student age were both independently predictive of less favorableattitudes toward an older person on the ASD subscales. Previous experiences with older people did not predict attitudes toward older people on all ASD scales.
ISSN:0360-1277
1521-0472
DOI:10.1080/713844235