J Korean Community Nurs.  2002 Jun;13(2):343-353.

Nursing Students' Attitudes towards Sexually Active Elderly

• Oh JJ

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to explore nursing students' attitudes towards sexually active elderly and to compare their attitudes with those of non-nursing students.
METHODS
Study subjects consisted of 118 nursing students, and 134 non-nursing students, recruited from two universities. The data were collected from September to November 2001. Vignettes, which presented hypothetical situations of sexual activities of the elderly (65 years of age, 80 years of age/sexual activity mentioned, non-mentioned). were provided as a research method, as well as the use of a structured questionnaire. Vignettes showed the hypothetical situations by male elder's sexual activity and their age, Respondents were asked to address their thoughts in the questionnaire.
RESULTS
1. Nursing students showed more favorable attitudes toward the elderly than non-nursing students, regardless of the presence of sexual activity of the elderly. 2. No significant difference was found in nursing students' attitudes toward the elderly aged 65 and 80 years, between those who were sexually active and those who were no, These results were the same in non-nursing students. 3. Nursing students showed more favorable attitudes toward the sexually active elders aged 65 years (5,6,1,43), than toward sexually active elders aged 80 years (4.89 1.55). This result was also the same in non-nursing students. 4. The variables significantly affecting attitudes toward the sexually active elderly in nursing students were familiarity with old person (p=.02), presence of living grandparents (p=.05), and the experience of caring for old people (p=.01). However, in non-nursing students, familiarity with old people was the only significant variable that affected their attitudes toward the sexually active elderly. 5. In nursing students, one variable to predict attitudes toward the sexually active elderly was the experience of caring for old people (p=.03), accounting for 10% of the total variance, In non-nursing students, familiarity with old people was the only variable to attitudes toward the sexually active elderly (p=.03), accounting for 3% of the variance for attitude, In both student groups, the sexually active elderly included college major (p=.03), school year (p=.01), familiarity with old people (p=.02), accounting for 12% of the variance for attitude by these variables.
CONCLUSION
Nursing students showed more favorable attitudes toward the sexual activity of elders 65 years of age or over, than non-nursing students. However, both the nursing and non-nursing students showed negative attitudes toward the elderly who were 80 years of age when compared with those 65 years of age, There should be a consideration in nursing education curriculums that university students may have negative attitudes towards sexual activity of the elderly over 80 years of age.

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Curriculum
Surveys and Questionnaires
Education, Nursing
Humans
Male
Nursing*
Recognition (Psychology)
Sexual Behavior
Students, Nursing