2Mersin Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Biyoistatistik ve Bilişim Anabilim Dalı, MERSİN Introduction: Ageism has become a central issue as a social consequence of elderly people having problems. This study was aimed at determining the attitudes of young adults towards ageism and the factors influencing these attitudes.
Materials and Method: This is a descriptive study. The population of this study included a total of 641 individuals aged 18-60 who came to a family health center for treatment and agreed to participate in the study. Research data were obtained by means of a “Questionnaire” designed in accordance with the relevant literature and the “Ageism Attitude Scale (AAS)”. A higher score indicates a more positive attitude towards ageing.
Results: Of the participants, 72.7% were female, 37% were high-school graduates, 87.1% lived in a nuclear family and their mean age was 38.97±11.07. The mean overall score received by the participants according to the AAS was 80.2±8.0. It was found that the participants received a score of 32.2±4.3 in the sub-scale about limiting the life of the elderly, a score of 31.7±4.9 in the sub-scale about positive discrimination for the elderly, and a score of 16.4±3.8 in the sub-scale of negative discrimination against the elderly.
Conclusion: Young adults were determined to hold positive attitudes toward ageing and to respect, cherish and care for the elderly.
Keywords : Aged; Prejudice; Attitude