Attracting and Training Tomorrow's Gerontologists: What Drives Student Interest in Aging?

Abstract

Demographic and labor force trends point to a critical need for professionals trained to work with older adults. The current study investigated factors associated with interest in aging-related topics and careers and knowledge of the opportunities that exist in the field of gerontology. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple regression analyses were used to examine results of a survey of 300 college students representing a wide range of disciplines. Aging-related coursework and formal contact with older adults were related to greater interest in learning about and working with older adults, as were lower levels of anxiety and ageism. Experiential learning was related to greater interest in aging-related careers. Females and those who have studied aging had greater knowledge of the opportunities that exist in the field of gerontology. Lower levels of ageism were related to knowledge of the labor force shortages in aging-related fields. Students across disciplines need to be more widely informed about the opportunities that exist to work professionally with older adults. We recommend a two-pronged approach by gerontological educators. We suggest building opportunities for formal contact and interaction with older adults and reflection on these interactions into aging-related coursework wherever possible. Additionally, gerontological educators should seek opportunities to develop collaborations and infuse gerontological content into a variety of other courses in order to educate those who do not specifically take aging courses.

Living Legends: Students' Responses to an Intergenerational Life Review Writing Program

“…Three hundred students studying gerontology, physical and occupational therapy, health policy, psychology, speech language pathology, and non-healthrelated courses were surveyed. 3 Aging coursework, experiential learning, and frequency and quality of formal contact were positive predictors, whereas aging anxiety and ageism were significant negative predictors of interest in working with older adults. Similar results were found in graduate students in a social work program, with rewarding interactions with older adults, contact frequency, and self-rated geriatric skill level predicting pursuit of aging-related employment.…”

“…Predictors of interest in working with older adults have been explored in college and medical school students. Three hundred students studying gerontology, physical and occupational therapy, health policy, psychology, speech language pathology, and non‐health‐related courses were surveyed . Aging coursework, experiential learning, and frequency and quality of formal contact were positive predictors, whereas aging anxiety and ageism were significant negative predictors of interest in working with older adults.…”

Représentation de la vieillesse et formation gérontologique, l’âgisme en question

“…Plusieurs auteurs se sont consacrés à l'analyse des causalités associées à cette faible orientation vers les cursus et les professions du vieillir (Bergman, Erickson, & Simons, 2014 ;Chippendale & Boltz, 2015 ;Chonody, 2015). À ce titre, Kastenbaum (1964), dans ses travaux précurseurs, a observé que peu de clinicien.ne.s avaient, à cette époque, bénéficié d'une formation ad hoc.…”

“…La majorité des auteurs traitant de la problématique à l'étude s'accordent, ensuite, sur l'influence négative de l'âgisme sur le parcours scolaire et professionnel des étudiant.e.s (Adam, 2016 ;Archambault, 2006 ;Bergman et al, 2014 ;Chippendale & Boltz, 2015 ;Chonody, 2015 ;Dobbin, 2012 ;Dumbrell et al, 2007 ;Gaymard, 2006 ;Gutheil, Heyman, & Chernesky, 2009 ;Haight, Christ, & Dias, 2008 ;Masse & Meire, 2012 ;Méthot, 2006 ;Moreau, Laki, & Kilik, 2009 ;Snyder, Wesley, Lin, & Lay, 2008). Ainsi, depuis plusieurs années, l'âgisme représente la forme de discrimination la plus prégnante au sein de nos sociétés hypermodernes, et ce, malgré la probabilité accrue, pour tout un chacun, d'appartenir un jour à la catégorie décriée (Champvert, 2014).…”

Attitudes of Social Gerontology and Physiotherapy Students Towards the Elderly

“…Even recently published systematic literature reviews, such as that of Liu et al (2012) and Wang and Chonody (2013), have found that results of the studies on attitudes towards older people were inconsistent, with positive, negative and neutral attitudes being noted across various groups of health care professionals. Bergman et al (2014) investigated factors associated with interest in aging-related topics and careers and knowledge about the opportunities that exist in the field of gerontology. Their study includes a survey of 300 college students representing a wide range of disciplines.…”