Attitudes towards oldest-old adults (age ≥80 years): A survey and international comparison between Swedish and Austrian nursing students.

Abstract

Ageism in nursing, particularly regarding oldest-old adults (age ≥80years), adversely affects patient safety and care quality. Nurse education can reduce ageist attitudes. Swedish and Austrian nursing students' attitudes towards adults age ≥80years have not been assessed. To analyse attitudes towards adults age ≥80years among nursing students from universities in Sweden and Austria. A prospective cross-sectional survey including the four-factor, 26-item validated Ageing Semantic Differential scale and demographic questions. A pen-and-paper survey was administered to nursing students at the Medical University of Graz, Austria (May-June 2019); an online survey was conducted at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden (January-June 2020). Demographic data were analysed descriptively; means and individual item ratings were calculated for each country. Multiple logistic regression was performed for each factor of the instrument: (1) Instrumentality, (2) Autonomy, (3) Acceptability and (4) Integrity. Six independent variables were included in the regression analysis. In total, 136 Austrian and 222 Swedish students responded (88% women). Compared with Austrian students, Swedish students were older and had more positive attitudes about oldest-old adults. Swedish students' median factor ratings (7-point scale) were 3.62 (Factor 1), 3.50 (Factor 2), 2.71 (Factor 3) and 3.80 (Factor 4). Austrian students' median ratings were 4.25 (Factor 1), 3.83 (Factor 2), 3.28 (Factor 3) and 4.00 (Factor 4). Regression analyses showed that the variables country, older family member/acquaintance, and age were associated with the different factors. Compared with Austrian students, Swedish students' attitudes towards oldest-old adults were more favourable. We discussed the findings at individual, interpersonal/intergroup and societal/cultural levels and present implications for education and research. Nurse education should address ageism as a multilevel phenomenon, and include the person-centred care perspective. Further research comparing nursing students' attitudes from different cultures is needed.