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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.)
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
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