ERIC Number: EJ969767
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 12
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1554-6128
EISSN: N/A
Students Enrolled in an Introductory Gerontology Course: Their Knowledge of and Attitudes toward Sexual Expression in Older Adults
Ewen, Heidi H.; Brown, Pamela S.
American Journal of Sexuality Education, v7 n2 p110-121 2012
Little is known about younger adults' attitudes towards age-related sexual changes and behaviors. Research using the Aging Sexuality Knowledge and Attitudes Scale (ASKAS) (White, 1982) has been effective in determining knowledge and attitudes among the staff of long-term care facilities, nurses, undergraduate nursing students, health care educators, and physicians. There is a dearth of literature on the knowledge about and attitudes toward aging and sexuality among students' emerging from an era of sexuality education focused heavily on abstinence-education. This study was conducted to determine the extent to which undergraduate students enrolled in an introductory gerontology course (n = 156) were knowledgeable about age-related changes in sexual expression; the role of political views on attitudes regarding aging and sexuality; relationships among prior sexuality education, knowledge, and attitudes regarding aging and sexuality; and differences in knowledge and attitudes between those with and without an intended career in aging. Results: Students espousing liberal political views were more likely to support continued sexual behaviors among older adults regardless of marital status or residential location. They held attitudes that sexual expression is a personal decision and not one to be made by family or facility staff. Prior sex education was not associated with attitudes toward or knowledge about sexual behavior in adulthood, indicating a deficiency in prior education on adult sexuality. Those who were considering a career in aging were more knowledgeable about age-related changes in sexuality. (Contains 3 tables.)
Descriptors: Nursing Students, Undergraduate Students, Marital Status, Sex Education, Place of Residence, Physicians, Nurses, Sexuality, Introductory Courses, Enrollment, Older Adults, Political Attitudes, Age Differences, Knowledge Level, Aging (Individuals), Attitude Measures, Measures (Individuals), Educational Gerontology
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A