Predictors of Graduate Social Work Students' Interest in Aging-Related Work

Abstract

The increasing population of older adults in this country has created a growing demand for gerontological social workers. Despite this demand, few graduate level social work students indicate a preference for working with older clients. Using symbolic interactionism as a theoretical framework, this study sought to identify factors predictive of MSW students' interest in securing post-graduate geriatric employment. The contributions of closeness to elders, contact with elders, education, attitudes toward aging, and rewarding interactions with elders were examined. In the final model rewarding interactions with older clients, contact frequency, and geriatric skill level emerged as significant predictors of students' desire to pursue aging-related employment (F(8,128) = 17.8, p <.0001, R² = .54). Implications for social work education are discussed.

Key Words:

• Elderly
• social work
• gerontology education
• aginginterest
• students
• graduate education
• symbolic interactionism
• attitudes-toward-aging
• employment
• intergenerational contact