A Q-methodology Study on Subjective Attitudes toward Dementia in Nursing Students

Abstract

Purpose: Nursing students are key personnel to take care of people with dementia in the nursing field in future. The purpose of this study was to identify subjective attitudes toward dementia in nursing students. Methods: Q methodology, which is a research method to study people's subjective points of views, was used. Thirty seven Q-statements (Q-sample) were derived from the Q population (Concourse) and were arranged in rank order by each of 42 participants into a normal distribution grid (from -4 to +4). A QUANL program was used to analyze the collected data. Results: Three types of attitudes toward dementia were identified: 'self-guided dementia management', 'national-guided dementia management' and 'facility-guided dementia management.' Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that nursing strategies to improve understanding of dementia and actively cope with dementia should be considered.