FACTORS OF ANXIETY TOWARD AGING IN FUTURE HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS: THE CONTRIBUTION OF KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS AGING

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this research was to examine the contribution of knowledge and attitudes and personal factors (age and gender) to the degree of anxiety towards the aging process in future healthcare professionals (students from the University Department of Health Studies Split and the School of medicine, University of Split).
Methods: This research involved 429 participants. The research was conducted using the online survey method via Google forms in the academic year 2019/2020, during the period March-June 2020. In the anonymous questionnaire consisting of several sections the attitudes, knowledge and anxiety about aging were examined, together with basic demographic determinants. Attitudes toward the elderly were examined by using the Kogan attitude scale. Level of knowledge was examined by using the Palmore aging
quiz, and anxiety toward aging was examined using the Anxiety about aging scale.
Results: Participants of this research showed a medium level of knowledge, but without a statistically significant difference
between participants who attended the course in geriatrics and those who did not (P=0.678). There was a negative and borderline
statistically significant correlation between the level of knowledge and anxiety about aging (r=-0.10; P=0.042). Also, there was a statistically but borderline significant difference between the factors of fear of loss (r=-0.11; P=0.019), while within the factors of fear of the elderly, psychological concern, and concern for physical appearance, we did not observe statistically significant difference. There is no statistically significant difference observed in relation to age and gender.
Conclusion: Even though the participants of this research showed medium level of knowledge, the anxiety about aging is still present. The obtained results indicate the need for additional education within the course in geriatrics, as well as increasing interaction with the elderly through the practical part of teaching process.