TY - JOUR
T1 - Cultural- and Educational-Level Differences in Students Knowledge, Attitudes, and Preferences for Working With Older Adults
T2 - An Israeli Perspective
AU - Zisberg, Anna
AU - Topaz, Maxim
AU - Band-Wintershtein, Tova
PY - 2015/3
Y1 - 2015/3
N2 - Background: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of nursing education on students’ knowledge, attitudes, and preferences to work with older adults in an ethnically diverse Israeli society. Methods: In a cross-sectional design, Kogan's Old People Scale was used to measure attitudes toward older adults and Palmore's Facts on Aging Quiz-1 to assess the level of knowledge of nursing students in four cohorts. Results: Of the 224 nursing students who responded to the survey, 55% were Jewish and 45% were Arabs. Ethnicity and knowledge were the strongest correlates (p <.0001) of attitudes, and attitudes and ethnicity (p <.0001) correlated with work preferences. Conclusions: While knowledge of old age among students increased, preferences for future career in geriatrics declined with education. Ethnicity was a strong predictor of attitudes and future intentions to work with older adults. Culturally tailored educational programs focused on changing the attitudes toward aging are critically needed.
AB - Background: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of nursing education on students’ knowledge, attitudes, and preferences to work with older adults in an ethnically diverse Israeli society. Methods: In a cross-sectional design, Kogan's Old People Scale was used to measure attitudes toward older adults and Palmore's Facts on Aging Quiz-1 to assess the level of knowledge of nursing students in four cohorts. Results: Of the 224 nursing students who responded to the survey, 55% were Jewish and 45% were Arabs. Ethnicity and knowledge were the strongest correlates (p <.0001) of attitudes, and attitudes and ethnicity (p <.0001) correlated with work preferences. Conclusions: While knowledge of old age among students increased, preferences for future career in geriatrics declined with education. Ethnicity was a strong predictor of attitudes and future intentions to work with older adults. Culturally tailored educational programs focused on changing the attitudes toward aging are critically needed.
KW - baccalaureate programs
KW - gerontology
KW - international educational experiences
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84923226142&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1177/1043659614526252
DO - 10.1177/1043659614526252
M3 - Article
C2 - 24848351
AN - SCOPUS:84923226142
SN - 1043-6596
VL - 26
SP - 193
EP - 201
JO - Journal of Transcultural Nursing
JF - Journal of Transcultural Nursing
IS - 2
ER -