Wang CY, Huang PJ, Chuang YH. Senior nursing students' ageism and its associated factors: A national cross-sectional study.
NURSE EDUCATION TODAY 2024;
141:106326. [PMID:
39116472 DOI:
10.1016/j.nedt.2024.106326]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Ageism is prejudice or discrimination against different age groups, particularly older people. As senior nursing students in the last year of their studies prepare to enter the workforce, it is imperative to understand their level of ageism because of the high probability that they will care for older people during their nursing careers due to the global aging population. However, most research has focused on nursing students' knowledge and attitudes regarding older adults, and few studies have specifically investigated ageism among senior nursing students.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to understand ageism among senior nursing students and associated factors.
DESIGN
This was a cross-sectional descriptive study.
SETTINGS AND PARTICIPANTS
In total, 249 senior students from 16 four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs in Taiwan were recruited. Inclusion criteria were (1) a senior student enrolled in a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program and (2) the ability to read Chinese.
METHODS
Data were collected using an online questionnaire consisting of two parts: demographic characteristics and the Fraboni Scale of Ageism. The frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson product-moment correlation, and multiple linear regression were used to analyze data.
RESULTS
The average score for ageism among senior nursing students was 61.60 ± 7.73, out of a maximum of 116. Having a higher level of concern about ageism issues and having had grandparents who were primary caregivers during childhood were linked to a lower degree of ageism. The only predictor of senior nursing students' ageism was the extent of their concern about ageism issues (F = 18.47, p < .001).
CONCLUSIONS
Senior nursing students demonstrated a moderate level of ageism. Faculty members should develop strategies to increase nursing students' awareness of ageism issues and develop appropriate interventions to prevent and improve their ageist attitudes.
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