Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate student nurses' knowledge and attitude related to the elderly. Method: The data were collected from 519 student nurses studying in university by means of a structured questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Pearson correlation analysis by SPSS version 10. Results: The average score of the respondents' knowledge of the elderly was 12.02(${\pm}2.77$) out of 25. The average score of the respondents' attitude toward the elderly was 80.09(${\pm}11.69$) out of 140. There was a statistically significant difference in the respondents knowledge of the elderly depending on their degree of preference for giving nursing care to the elderly (F=7.534, p=.001). There was a statistically significant difference in the respondents attitude toward the elderly depending on their degree of preference for giving nursing care to the elderly (F=23.167, p=.000), possession of living grandparents (F=6.174, p=.002), and degree of interaction with elderly (t=5.661, p=.000). Student nurses' knowledge and attitude related to the elderly were significantly correlated. Conclusion: It is necessary to develop a program for continuous teaching and education that will help increase student nurses' knowledge of the elderly and thereby positively change their attitude toward the elderly.

Keywords

• Knowledge;
• Elder;
• Attitude

• 노인;
• 지식;
• 태도;