The Relationship Between Health Professionals' Attitudes Towards the Older People and Personality Traits

Abstract

As in the whole world, the older population is increasing in Turkey as well. They get older, people need more healthcare. Therefore, it communicates more with health professionals. This study examines the relationship between attitudes of health professionals toward older people and personality traits of health professionals affecting these attitudes. Quantitative cross-sectional and correlational design was used in this study. Between February 2019-2020, a total of 235 health professionals working in 2 research hospitals completed a questionnaire of Kogan's Attitudes Toward Old People Scale and The Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised/Abbreviated Form. The study group was consisted of health professionals with 27.38 +/- 5.6 years mean age. It was found that health professionals showed extraversion personality traits, and their attitudes towards the older people were positive (98.19 +/- 14.18). It was determined that female health professionals displayed extraversion personality traits compared to men, and their attitudes towards the older people was within the edge of positive. It was found that those with 1-4 years of working duration and poor income had neuroticism personality trait, and those with poor income had negative attitudes towards older people. In general, health professionals' attitudes and behaviors towards older people are positive. Personality traits and some socio-demographic characteristics may be effective in attitudes and behaviors towards older people. During the training of health professionals, the issues of attitude to older patient should be emphasized. The education they receive can affect their attitude towards the patient.