Table 3 Ageist behaviors reported by nursing students (N = 334)
From: Nursing students’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors toward aging and ageism in Palestine
Item | Never % (n) | Sometimes % (n) | Often % (n) |
|---|---|---|---|
1. Compliment old people on how well they look, despite their age. | 16.8 (56) | 26.0 (87) | 57.2 (191) |
2. Send birthday cards to old people that joke about their age. | 15.3 (51) | 37.4 (125) | 47.3 (158) |
3. Enjoy conversations with old people because of their age. | 14.1 (47) | 26.6 (89) | 59.3 (198) |
4. Tell old people jokes about old age. | 21.0 (70) | 32.6 (109) | 46.4 (155) |
5. Hold doors open for old people because of their age. | 12.3 (41) | 33.8 (113) | 53.9 (180) |
6. Tell an old person, ‘‘You’re too old for that.’’ | 17.4 (58) | 30.5 (102) | 52.1 (174) |
7. Offer to help an old person across the street because of their age. | 14.1 (47) | 34.4 (115) | 51.5 (172) |
8. When I find out an old person’s age, I may say, ‘‘You don’t look that old.’’ | 13.8 (46) | 32.9 (110) | 53.3 (178) |
9. Ask an old person for advice because of their age. | 15.3 (51) | 33.5 (112) | 51.2 (171) |
10. When an old person has an ailment, I may say, ‘‘That’s normal at your age.’’ | 18.0 (60) | 32.9 (110) | 49.1 (164) |
11. When an old person can’t remember something, I may say, ‘‘That’s what they call a ‘Senior Moment’.’’ | 12.3 (41) | 33.2 (111) | 54.5 (182) |
12. Talk louder or slower to old people because of their age. | 15.0 (50) | 36.2 (121) | 48.8 (163) |
13. Use simple words when talking to old people. | 11.4 (38) | 36.2 (121) | 52.4 (175) |
14. Ignore old people because of their age. | 11.1 (37) | 37.7 (126) | 51.2 (171) |
15. Vote for an old person because of their age. | 12.9 (43) | 42.5 (142) | 44.6 (149) |
16. Vote against an old person because of their age. | 11.4 (38) | 37.7 (126) | 50.9 (170) |
17. Avoid old people because of their age. | 13.2 (44) | 33.2 (111) | 53.6 (179) |
18. Avoid old people because they are cranky. | 12.9 (43) | 42.5 (142) | 44.6 (149) |
19. When a slow driver is in front of me, I may think, ‘‘It must be an old person.’’ | 10.8 (36) | 44.3 (148) | 44.9 (150) |
20. Call an old woman, ‘‘young lady,’’ or call an old man, ‘‘young man.’’ | 12.0 (40) | 38.9 (130) | 49.1 (164) |
Ageist behaviors overall score M (SD) | 25.95 (11.23) | ||
Ageist positive behaviors M (SD) | 69.33 (3.70) | ||
Ageist negative behaviors M (SD) | 67.96 (8.25) | ||