Between respect and prejudice: The duality of perception on aging and ageism among nursing students

Abstract

In today’s globalized world, despite the availability of psychometric measures of ageism, a gap remains in understanding how students subjectively perceive and experience ageism. The interplay between students’ personal values and socially constructed prejudices remains insufficiently understood, highlighting the need for an in-depth qualitative investigation. This study seeks to contribute to the literature on the aging process and ageism, with particular relevance to gerontological nursing education and practice. Specifically, it aims to explore nursing students’ perceptions of the aging process and ageism toward older adults at a private university. This exploratory qualitative study examined perceptions of aging among 55 nursing students. Data were collected between June and November 2024 using individual questionnaires, and the responses were transcribed for analysis. Lexicometric content analysis was performed using the Interface de R pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires (IRaMuTeQ) software to examine word frequencies while maintaining participant confidentiality. A total of six thematic categories were found including respect for older people, social discrimination and violence, negative stereotypes towards older people, life cycle: aging, autonomy and independence of older people, and physical changes during the aging process. Students view aging as an inevitable process and demonstrate respect for older adults based on personal, family, academic, and religious values. However, they also perpetuate negative stereotypes and ageist attitudes. This duality highlights a gap between their appreciation of older adults’ autonomy and the persistence of social prejudices in academic discourse. Therefore, critical education is needed to challenge ageism and prepare nursing students to become agents of change.

Keywords: Ageism, aging, nursing students, qualitative research, stereotyping