ERIC Number: EJ1451001
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0360-1277
EISSN: EISSN-1521-0472
Available Date: N/A
Using Guest Speakers to Influence Graduate Social Work Students to Work with Older Adults
Mbita Mbao; Kristin Erbetta; Sai Mouanoutoua
Educational Gerontology, v50 n12 p1151-1160 2024
Social work programs are grappling with changing students' attitudes about working with older adults. Our study aimed to understand whether adding a guest speaker working in the field into weekly content would influence students' attitudes about working with older adults. We conducted an exploratory study using a cross-sectional design with a pre and posttest to answer our question. Eighteen MSW students were enrolled in the 'Social Work with Older Adults' course and 17 students completed the pre-posttests. Willingness to work with older adults was measured using the "Willingness to Work with Elderly People Scale (WEPS). Guest speakers were recruited from local area agencies on aging. A significant finding was a statistically significant (t= -3.31, p < 0.01) increase from pre- (M = 3.59, SD = 1.54) to posttest (M = 4.88, SD = 1.22) scores for item, 'My professors advise me to consider aged care career.' In addition, there were statistically significant pre to posttest differences for all items of 'Perceived Behavioral Control' and 'Intention toward working with older adults' reflecting competence, training, skills, and capabilities to work with older adults, suggesting guest speakers may play a crucial role as influential sources to positively shape students' attitudes and intentions toward working with older adults.
Descriptors: Social Work, Graduate Students, Older Adults, Speeches, Partnerships in Education, Student Attitudes, Influences, Public Speaking, Specialists, Teaching Methods
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A