Attitudes Toward Older Adults: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study in Chilean University Students

Igor Cigarroa (), Jesus Alonso, María Gabriela Vallejos, Maria Antonia Parra-Rizo, Daniel Basoalto, Daniela Robles-Tapia, Yeny Concha-Cisternas, Rafael Pizarro, Juana Borja-González and Rodrigo Yañez-Yañez
Additional contact information
Igor Cigarroa: Escuela de Kinesiología, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Católica Silva Henriquez, Santiago 7550000, Chile
Jesus Alonso: Departamento de Matemáticas y Estadística, División de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla 080003, Colombia
María Gabriela Vallejos: Aldeas Infantiles SOS, Chillán 3780000, Chile
Maria Antonia Parra-Rizo: Departamento de Psicología de la Salud, Facultad de Ciencias Sociosanitarias, Campus de Elche, Universidad Miguel Hernández (UMH), 03202 Elche, Spain
Daniel Basoalto: Escuela de Kinesiología, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santo Tomás, Puerto Montt 5480000, Chile
Daniela Robles-Tapia: Escuela de Nutrición y Dietética, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santo Tomás, Santiago 8370003, Chile
Yeny Concha-Cisternas: Escuela de Kinesiología, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santo Tomás, Talca 3460000, Chile
Rafael Pizarro: Facultad de Ciencias de la Rehabilitación y Calidad de Vida, Universidad San Sebastián, Sede Los Leones, Santiago 7500000, Chile
Juana Borja-González: Departamento de Enfermería, División Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad del Norte, Barranquilla 080003, Colombia
Rodrigo Yañez-Yañez: CFT Santo Tomás, Punta Arenas 6200000, Chile

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 9, 1-14

Abstract: Background : Ageism is a growing concern in aging societies and can affect future professionals’ attitudes toward older adults. Objective : To analyze the association between attitudes toward old age, self-perceptions of aging, and contact with older adults in the community among students at a private university in Chile. Methods : A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 515 university students aged 18 to 42 years from 11 campuses of Santo Tomás University in Chile. Attitudes toward older adults were assessed using the Kogan’s Attitudes toward Older People Scale (KAOP), and additional data on self-perceptions of health and aging, and contact with grandparents or older adults, were collected through a self-designed questionnaire. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests, one-way ANOVA, and Bonferroni post hoc comparisons. Results : A majority of students (61.2%) exhibited low-level positive attitudes toward older adults. Female students and those aged 26–42 years had significantly more positive attitudes than male and younger students ( p < 0.05). Students with a healthier self-perception of aging ( p = 0.011) and those who maintained contact with grandparents or older adults ( p = 0.006) showed significantly more favorable attitudes toward aging. Nationality was also associated with attitudes, with Chilean students scoring higher than their foreign counterparts. Conclusions : Positive attitudes toward older adults among university students were associated with gender, age, self-perception of aging, and intergenerational contact. These findings highlight the importance of integrating educational and intergenerational programs in higher education to reduce ageism and promote respectful and inclusive perceptions of aging.

Keywords: ageism; aging; attitude; students; Chile (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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