Students Enrolled in an Introductory Gerontology Course: Their Knowledge of and Attitudes toward Sexual Expression in Older Adults

• Published in: American journal of sexuality education Vol. 7; no. 2; pp. 110 - 121
• Main Authors: Ewen, Heidi H, Brown, Pamela S
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Routledge 01.04.2012
• Subjects: Age Differences; Aging (Individuals); Attitude Measures; Educational Gerontology; Enrollment; Introductory Courses; Knowledge Level; Marital Status; Measures (Individuals); Nurses; Nursing Students; Older Adults; Physicians; Place of Residence; Political Attitudes; Sex Education; Sexuality; Undergraduate Students
• ISSN: 1554-6128
• DOI: 10.1080/15546128.2012.680859

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.)