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Ageist attitudes among young adults: implications for a caring profession
1National Board for Nursing, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Journal of Advanced Nursing
|October 1, 1991
Summary
Younger adults often hold negative attitudes toward the elderly, influenced by ageism. This study found negative attitudes among students and nurses, with females showing less negativity than males.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Social Psychology
- Sociology of Health
Background:
- Negative attitudes toward the elderly are prevalent among younger adults.
- Ageism, a socially constructed phenomenon, is often cited as a cause of these negative attitudes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the existence and nature of ageism in younger populations.
- To examine attitudes toward the elderly among secondary school pupils and nursing students/professionals.
Main Methods:
- An 'Attitudes Toward the Elderly' inventory was used.
- Participants included secondary school pupils, student nurses, and qualified nurses.
Main Results:
- Negative attitudes toward the elderly were confirmed across participant groups.
- Female participants exhibited less negative attitudes than male participants.
- Entering the nursing profession unexpectedly correlated with more negative attitudes, not fewer.
Conclusions:
- Ageism significantly influences attitudes toward the elderly, even within the healthcare profession.
- Gender socialization plays a role in shaping these attitudes.
- Professional socialization in nursing may inadvertently reinforce ageist attitudes, necessitating targeted interventions.