Analysis of Nursing Students' Attitudes Toward the Elderly: A Cross-Sectional Study Using Latent Profile Methods

Abstract

Background: Nursing students' attitudes toward older adults was considered as one of the main reasons of willingness to provide elderly care. Previous studies could not consider the heterogeneity characteristics of nursing students' attitudes towards older adults. This study was to identify nursing students' attitude towards the elderly using Latent Profle Analysis (LPA) and discussed the influence factors of different potential attitudes. Methods: 622 participants were included. Palmore's Facts on Aging Quiz, Kogan's Attitude Toward Older People Scale and Interpersonal Reactivity Index were completed. LPA and Logistic regression were used to categorize participants into distinct KAOP subgroups and identify predictors of KAOP subgroup classification, respectively. Results: Latent Profles Analysis produced two profiles: Positive attitude (60.1%, n = 373), negative attitude (39.9%, n = 249). Positive attitude towards the elderly was decreased from 95.8% to 60.1% based on the population heterogeneity. Logistic regression analysis revealed that multiple-child family, the relationship with older adults, knowledge of aging, perspective-taking and empathic concern affect nursing students' attitude towards the elderly. Conclusions: Targeted interventions to improve attitudes might focus on those subgroups from person-oriented approach through helping them to build good relationship with older adults, strengthening knowledge of aging and cultivating empathy.