title: Investigating the factor structure of an instrument to measure attitudes and preparedness to work with elders with Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: This study investigated the factor structure of an instrument to measure attitudes and preparedness of social work students to work with memory-impaired elders. Exploratory statistical procedures to reduce data through principle component analysis identified three factors with eigenvalues greater than 1.0 and a cumulative variance of 65.520%. These factors include general belief in the efficacy of psychotherapeutic services for elders with memory impairment; self-perceived adequacy to provide services to elders with memory impairment; and belief in the efficacy of other ancillary services to elders with memory impairment. Recommendations are made for utilizing this brief self-report instrument in training and assessing students and other practitioners for their attitudes toward and greater preparedness to work with memory- impaired elders.
authors.affiliation: School of Social Work, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA. mkane@fau.edu
authors.forename: Michael N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Kane
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000193:education*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011287:Prejudice; D018401:Sample Size; D012947:Social Work / Q000193:education*; D013336:Students, Health Occupations / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*