Determining nursing students' attitudes and empathic tendencies regarding aged discrimination

Perspect Psychiatr Care. 2021 Jan;57(1):380-389. doi: 10.1111/ppc.12652. Epub 2020 Oct 26.

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims determining nursing students' attitudes and empathic tendencies regarding aged discrimination METHODS: A descriptive or cross-sectional study was conducted, using the basic empathy scale, ageism attitude scale.

Findings: The findings indicate that the students have a mid-level attitude with respect to ageism. Higher levels of empathic approach indicates a downward trend in positive and negative ageism in students and an upward trend in the attitude of restricting the life of older people. The difference between living with the elderly and class and empathy, between gender and elderly attitude is significant.

Practice implications: Nursing students' empathic tendencies affect attitudes towards the elderly.

Keywords: attitudes; empathic tendencies; nursing students; older persons.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Ageism / psychology*
  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Empathy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Students, Nursing / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Young Adult