Date Approved

1996

Graduate Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Physical Therapy (M.S.)

Degree Program

Physical Therapy

First Advisor

Debra Strasburg

Second Advisor

K. Ozga

Third Advisor

Neal Rogness

Abstract

Gerontologic knowledge, attitudes and interest in working with the elderly were investigated and potential relationships explored. Six years of Grand Valley State University alumni (3 years Bachelor's {dollar}\{lcub} \rm N=63\{rcub}{dollar} and 3 years Master's {dollar}\{lcub} \rm N=84\{rcub} ){dollar} were surveyed. Questionnaires consisted of: a Personal History Questionnaire, to collect demographic data; the Palmore's Facts on Aging Questionnaire Part 2 with a "don't know" option added; and a modified Semantic Differential by Rosencrantz and McNevin. P-values were set at {dollar}\le{dollar}.05 to determine statistical significance. Correlations were also run on the data. Results indicate a fairly high correlation between people who believe the elderly are professionally challenging and those with positive attitudes toward the elderly. No other relationships were statistically meaningful. Many things can influence knowledge, attitudes and interest, but few were shown to be statistically meaningful in this study.

Comments

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