Factors Influencing Elderly Care Willingness of Nursing Students

This study aimed to identify the factors affecting elderly care willingness (ECW) of nursing students. A total of 313 nursing students participated in the study. Data were collected from May to June 2019 using Interpersonal Reactivity Index-Korean version, Semantic Differential Scaling for evaluating attitudes toward elders, Scale of Ageism, and Questionnaire for care willingness toward older adults. Data were analyzed by t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple regression using SPSS 21.0 Program. The factors with the most significant influence on the elderly care willingness was prejudice toward the elderly (β=-.30, p=.001), followed by attitude toward the elderly (β=-.25, p=.004), third year (β=-.23, p=.016), satisfaction with volunteer experience with the elderly (β=-.21, p=.008), satisfaction with nursing major (β=-.17, p=.032), and empathy (β=.16, p=.046). These factors explained 46% of the elderly care willingness. In conclusion, it is necessary to reduce prejudice against the elderly and develop positive attitudes toward the elderly to increase the willingness of nursing students to care for older adults. In particular, further study is required to increase the willingness of nursing students to care for the elderly through developing programs such as curriculums for positive contact experiences with the elderly and volunteer activities for the elderly.