Abstract
Introduction: Understanding nursing students’ attitudes toward older people is important as these attitudes influence their career choices and the quality of future gerontological care for older adults.
Methods: The aim of this study was to explore and compare attitudes toward older adults among nursing students in Finland and Japan. A cross-sectional comparative design was employed. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data, which included demographic variables and the Kogan's Attitude towards Old People Scale (KAOP). The participants consisted of 65 nursing students from Finland and 74 nursing students from Japan. The data were analysed statistically.
Results: Japanese nursing students had more positive attitudes and great score variability (KAOP mean 127.0, SD 10.9) than Finnish nursing students (KAOP mean 115.9, SD 5.9). The mean difference of 11.1 (95% C.I: 8.2-14.0) was statistically highly significant p<0.00001, with a large Cohen’s d effect size (1.27).
Conclusion: Results disparity likely reflects profound cultural and structural differences in the conceptualization and institutionalization of aged care.
Methods: The aim of this study was to explore and compare attitudes toward older adults among nursing students in Finland and Japan. A cross-sectional comparative design was employed. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data, which included demographic variables and the Kogan's Attitude towards Old People Scale (KAOP). The participants consisted of 65 nursing students from Finland and 74 nursing students from Japan. The data were analysed statistically.
Results: Japanese nursing students had more positive attitudes and great score variability (KAOP mean 127.0, SD 10.9) than Finnish nursing students (KAOP mean 115.9, SD 5.9). The mean difference of 11.1 (95% C.I: 8.2-14.0) was statistically highly significant p<0.00001, with a large Cohen’s d effect size (1.27).
Conclusion: Results disparity likely reflects profound cultural and structural differences in the conceptualization and institutionalization of aged care.
| Translated title of the contribution | Finska och japanska sjuksköterskestudenters attityder gentemot äldre: En jämförande studie |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Journal | International Journal of Older People Nursing |
| Publication status | Accepted/In press - Jan 2026 |
| MoE publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |