Previous experience with older adults positively affects nutrition students' attitudes toward this age group.
OBJECTIVE
To explore: (1) dietetic and nutritional science students' attitudes toward working with older adults and the factors affecting those attitudes; (2) the differences in attitudes between students who preferred to work with older adults and those who did not; (3) factors affecting self-efficacy to work with them; and (4) factors influencing current preference to work with older adults.


METHODS
Triangulated qualitative research methods (focus groups and in-depth interviews).


METHODS
Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at a land grant university in the north central United States.


METHODS
Upper-level dietetics and nutritional sciences students (N=27), half of whom preferred to work with older adults and half who did not.


RESULTS
Attitudes and preference for working with older adults and influencing factors.


METHODS
Transcripts from audiotapes and field notes were analyzed using open and axial coding methods.


RESULTS
Students who preferred working with older adults had more positive attitudes toward working with older adults compared to those who did not. Previous experience with older adults was strongly associated with comfort level, self-efficacy to work with them, attitudes toward this age group, and preference for working with them.


CONCLUSIONS
Direct and positive interaction with older adults is likely a key intervention to improving students' attitudes toward working with this age group.
Lee
Seung-Yeon
SY
Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. leeseu15@msu.edu
Hoerr
Sharon L
SL
Weatherspoon
Lorraine
L
Schiffman
Rachel F
RF
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004046:Dietetics; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006299:Health Services for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*