Previous experience with older adults positively affects nutrition students' attitudes toward this age group. J Nutr Educ Behav 2007;39(3):150-6
Date
05/12/2007Pubmed ID
17493565DOI
10.1016/j.jneb.2006.08.029Scopus ID
2-s2.0-34247637651 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 15 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVES: To explore: (1) dietetic and nutritional science students' attitudes toward working with older adults and the factors affecting those attitudes; (2) the differences in attitudes between students who preferred to work with older adults and those who did not; (3) factors affecting self-efficacy to work with them; and (4) factors influencing current preference to work with older adults.
DESIGN: Triangulated qualitative research methods (focus groups and in-depth interviews).
SETTING: Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at a land grant university in the north central United States.
PARTICIPANTS: Upper-level dietetics and nutritional sciences students (N=27), half of whom preferred to work with older adults and half who did not.
MAIN OUTCOMES: Attitudes and preference for working with older adults and influencing factors.
ANALYSIS: Transcripts from audiotapes and field notes were analyzed using open and axial coding methods.
RESULTS: Students who preferred working with older adults had more positive attitudes toward working with older adults compared to those who did not. Previous experience with older adults was strongly associated with comfort level, self-efficacy to work with them, attitudes toward this age group, and preference for working with them.
IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH AND PRACTICE: Direct and positive interaction with older adults is likely a key intervention to improving students' attitudes toward working with this age group.
Author List
Lee SY, Hoerr SL, Weatherspoon L, Schiffman RFAuthor
Rachel Schiffman BS,MS,PhD Associate Dean for Research in the College of Nursing department at University of Wisconsin - MilwaukeeMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AdultAged
Aged, 80 and over
Attitude of Health Personnel
Dietetics
Female
Focus Groups
Health Services for the Aged
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Male
Self Efficacy
Students
