Predicting Trainee Ageism Using Knowledge,Anxiety, Compassion,and Contact with Older Adults

Despite the growing proportion of older adults in the population, ageism is prevalent and can facilitate discriminatory behavior, even in healthcare settings. This study used multiple regression to investigate the relationship between knowledge of aging, aging anxiety, and degree of older adult contact with ageism in undergraduates training for careers in allied health and mental health settings. It also investigated the relationship between compassion and ageism. All variables, with the exception of contact with older adults, significantly predicted ageism scores in undergraduates enrolled in an aging course. Implications for training are discussed.