Abstract:

This study was conducted to examine freshman and senior nursing students’ attitudes towards elderly discrimination. The study which was conducted in descriptive design was carried out with 223 students in Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University during November 2015-March 2016 period. The data were obtained through socio-demographic form and Elderly Discrimination Attitude Scale (YATÖ) in classrooms. The scale developed by Vefikuluçay (2008) is a 5- Likert type scale consisting limiting elderly’s life (9 items), positive discrimination towards elderly (8 items), and negative attitudes towards elderly (6 items) sub dimensions. High mean value resulted from the data shows that the discrimination towards elderly is positive. Before procedure, ethical permisions were provided and students responded voluntarily. It was found that the mean value of the participant students ages was 20.16±2.09 (min:17, max:28), % 75.5 was female, % 56.2 was freshman students, and %45.5 participants lived with elderly. The total scale mean value was 69.51±7.13, limiting elderly’s life mean value was 19.90±4.00, positive discrimination towards elderly mean value was 31.05±4.65, and negative discrimination mean value towards elderly was 18.55± 3.59 based on the analysis. There was found a statistically significant difference between freshman and senior students’ total scale points (p<0.05). There was not a significant difference between participants’ gender, social environment, income, parents’ educational background, living with an elderly and total scale points (p>0.05). It was concluded that there was a middle level positive discrimination attitude towards elderly among students. Therefore, it was considered that raising awareness to the topic during nursing education would contribute to elderly’s wellness, accordingly, to the public’s health. 

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