title: Who Is Likely to Commit to a Career With Older Adults?
abstract: Gerontology, as an academic discipline, provides professionals with the conceptual knowledge and the skills necessary to address the complexities of working with a diverse aging population. We know little about what attracts professionals to the aging field and what maintains commitment to these careers. The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of career motivation, job satisfaction, anxiety about aging, and professional identity in relation to career commitment among those working with older adults. Participants (N = 756) were recruited through organizations and institutions serving older adults and responded to an online survey. Participants' motivation for working with older adults, level of job satisfaction, and exposure to formal gerontological education significantly predicted career commitment. In addition, aging anxiety mediated the relationship between job satisfaction and career commitment. This study sheds lights on perspectives of professionals working with older adults and highlights areas for future gerontological research and training.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Gerontology , Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond , Virginia , USA.
authors.forename: Tracey
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gendron
authors.affiliation: a Department of Gerontology , Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond , Virginia , USA.
authors.forename: E Ayn
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Welleford
authors.affiliation: b Department of Community Engagement , Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond , Virginia , USA.
authors.forename: Lynn
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pelco
authors.affiliation: c Department of Psychology , Virginia Commonwealth University , Richmond , Virginia , USA.
authors.forename: Barbara J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Myers
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D002321:Career Choice; D005260:Female; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: aging anxiety; careers; gerontology education; job satisfaction