Young People’s Perception of the Elderly and its Likely Impact on Healthcare Delivery Service

Young people are at the vanguard of most healthcare delivery services to the elderly. Their attitudes on healthcare delivery service could be influenced by the perceptions they hold of elderly persons. Slevin (1991) noted that young people's negative attitudes toward the elderly might be implicated in the slow growth of gerontological nursing in the UK. A study of young people (undergraduates) from both developing and developed nations identified elderly traits that they perceived to be “Unattractive.” Participants were from Nigeria (n=86); Brazil (n=232); the USA (n=221); and Ireland (n=194). Unattractive traits fell into the categories of Personal; Interpersonal; and Need. With the unattractive traits in mind, participants were asked to rate their tendencies to not help: 1) their elderly parents, and 2) the elderly persons. Results found that no significant differences between respondents from the developing and the developed countries: Unattractive traits could not prevent the participants from wanting to help elderly parents (Developing Countries: Mean = 3.74; SD = 1.23; Developed Countries: Mean = 3.84; SD = 1.27; t = 1.03; df = 611.112; P = 0.302). Also, results found that no significant differences between participants from the developing and developed countries: Unattractive traits could prevent participants from wanting to help elderly persons who are not parents (Developing Countries: Mean = 2.73; SD = 1.22; Developed Countries: Mean = 2.75; SD = 1.34; t = 0.137; df = 643.98; P = 0.891). While unattractive traits could not prevent young people from helping elderly parents, it would prevent them from wanting to help elderly people who are not parents. The results have implications for intergenerational helping relationships.