title: Self-esteem and caregivers' attitudes toward elderly persons.
abstract: A scale identifying 141 medical students who responded positively to geriatric patients was based on Rosenberg's Self-esteem Scale modified by adding a phrase about geriatric care. Personal and professional role traits that predicted a positive therapeutic attitude were high scores on social desirability or self-monitoring and low scores on thanatophobia and depression. Senior medical students who expressed the highest self-esteem toward caring for elderly people indicated family medicine as their first choice of residency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Merrill
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Lorimor
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Thornby
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Woods
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vallbona
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002321:Career Choice; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000523:psychology*; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D012649:Self Concept; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*