| The purpose of this study was to find the variables which best predict students' attitudes toward and knowledge of elderly persons. The sample included 91 doctoral candidates (52.7% female), 62 Master's-level gerontology students (93.5% female), and 108 undergraduates (54.6% female). Ages ranged from 17 to 71 years, with a mean age of 26.8 years. Attitudes were assessed using the Aging Semantic Differential (ASD) and the Aging Opinion Survey (AOS: SVE, PAX, STD). The Facts on Aging Quiz (FAQ) and the Knowledge of Aging and Elderly Persons Questionnaire (KAE) were administered to measure students' knowledge. A demographic questionnaire assessed several contact variables, education, work preferences, number of gerontology courses, gender, and age. Separate stepwise multiple regression analyses were performed for knowledge and attitude variables. Subjects' ages, STD scores, ASD scores, quality of contact with familiar elderly individuals, preference for working with elderly persons, and level of education explained 43.4% of the variance in attitudes toward elderly persons, as measured by the SVE. A total of 37.4% of the variance in knowledge of elderly persons was explained by level of education, number of courses taken, quality of contact with unfamiliar elderly, subjects' age, and a low preference rating for working with persons aged 0 to 17 years. Doctoral candidates stated significantly fewer intentions to work with the elderly population than others, X... |
