Masters Theses

Date of Award

8-1987

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Nursing

Major Professor

Sandra P. Thomas

Committee Members

Susan Theodoropoulous, Ginger W. Evans

Abstract

In this country there is an increasing number of older citizens, each possessing a complexity of needs. Many of the elderly require institutionalization during their later years, for a variety of reasons. It is nurses' aides, largely untrained, who give the majority of nursing care to elderly residents of long-term care facilities. Yet, studies identify that nurses' aides possess attitudes toward the elderly which reflect negative stereotyped opinions. Staff attitudes, especially those of nursing assistants, have a major impact on the quality of daily life for residents of a long-term care facility. However, instructors of nurses' aides and inservice directors in nursing homes often neglect the affective domain and focus only on the teaching of theory and skills. This study evaluated the effect of a sensitization inservice upon nurses' aides' attitudes toward and perceptions about older persons. Vicarious experiences were utilized to help them achieve awareness and understanding of the elderly clients' needs. Also, common stereotypical myths regarding the elderly were challenged by the presentation of facts and the showing of slides that depict the emotional aspects of loss encountered by the elderly. The dependent variables were nurses' aides' attitudes toward and perceptions about older persons as measured by the Kogan Old People Scale (KOPS) and the Palmore Facts on Aging Quiz, Miller-Dodder Revision (FAQ). Inservice programs are mandatory at the nursing home where the study was conducted. A method of random selection placed subjects in either the pretest group (control) or the posttest group (experimental). A modification of the "posttest-only" experimental design was utilized as all subjects participated in the treatment. While the pretest group completed the measurement tools, the posttest group answered demographic data along with a bogus quiz on job satisfaction. Following the treatment, the procedure was reversed. Computation of the t-test revealed that the groups differed significantly (p = 0.004). An increase in the following variables appeared to influence positive attitudes: (a) educational background, (b) years employed, and (c) formal job training. Nursing homes should utilize effective teaching techniques such as the sensitization inservice for the formation of more positive attitudes and perceptions regarding the elderly among nurses' aides. Further studies are indicated to expand the knowledge in this area.

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