Generation Z Undergraduate Social Work Students’ Knowledge of and Attitudes Toward Older Persons: Implications for Professional Training

Abstract

Appropriate gerontological social work services are, amongst others, dependent on social workers' knowledge of and attitudes towards older persons. The current cohort of students, known as Generation Z, are global citizens. This study determined and described South African undergraduate social work students' knowledge of and attitudes towards older persons. A cross-sectional survey was undertaken with B Social Work students (N = 395) at two universities. Data collection included the three scales of Palmore's First Facts of Aging Quiz in multiple-choice format (1996) and four scales of Fraboni's Scale of Ageism (1990). Age and five categorical factors were considered to determine their simultaneous impact on each of the seven scales/subscales of the two instruments by performing multi-way ANOVA models. An unexpected finding was that the factor 'completed a course in gerontology' did not have any impact on any scale. Year level of study, area of childhood residence and consideration to work exclusively with older persons after graduation simultaneously impacted respondents' 'overall attitude' towards older persons. Two factors (i.e., year level of study and area of childhood residence) mutually impacted respondents' 'overall knowledge' of aging. Recommendations for the training of Generation Z students are offered concerning course content and pedagogical interventions.

Employer Branding in the Context of the Company’s Sustainable Development Strategy from the Perspective of Gender Diversity of Generation Z

“…This stems from the fact that there are few representatives of generation Z in the job market, and their professional experience is limited. Many publications released so far have focussed on the characteristics of these individuals in the context of, i.a., communication [71,72] and teaching methods [71,[73][74][75][76][77]. However, subjects related to the generation entering the employment market and its professional and environmental values are relatively rarely considered, especially in the context of gender [78,79].…”

The neoliberal university, social work and personalised care for older adults

“…This includes a commonplace professional view that real social work takes place with children and families, and that older people should be reserved for the attention of unqualified staff or volunteers (Phillipson, 1982: 104; Hall and Scragg, 2012). Geyer and Louw's (2020: 93) recent survey-based research with 395 social work students notes that common reasons given for the limited interest in working with older people includes ageism; inadequate knowledge about later-stage ageing; assumptions that work with children is much more complex, meaningful and rewarding; and that working with older people is assumed to be ‘not challenging or rewarding’. Other studies have noted that social work students can assume that communication with older people is likely to be difficult; or that apparently commonplace problems such as poverty, loneliness, frailty or a lack of support provided will provoke either depression or feelings of guilt (Phillipson, 1982; Hall and Scragg, 2012; Geyer and Louw, 2020).…”

“…Relatedly, course programmes have continued to become more skills and performance-learning focused, and less reliant on theory-based analysis or critique (Jones, 1996; Orme, 2012; Fenton, 2019). Despite representing the fastest growing and largest ‘service user’ group, attention given to older people on generic social work programmes within the neoliberal university has remained minimal (Gwilym, 2018; Geyer and Louw, 2020). As with other ‘service user’ groups, including children or families, focus upon direct work with older adults has also narrowed, with most attention now given to safeguarding and risk-averse work with the ‘oldest old’ or fourth-agers (Webb, 2006; Dustin, 2007; Lymbery and Postle, 2010; Carey, 2016).…”

Entrepreneurship, Professionalism and Leadership Intention of Generation Z

“…Su, Tsai, Chen, and Lv (2019) stated that the Gen Z population constituted 32% of the 7.7 billion global population in 2019. WHO (2017) report stated that the elderly population is increasing worldwide both in developed and developing countries. By 2050, the proportion of the elderly population globally is expected to increase to 22% (an estimated two billion older people) (Geyer & Louw, 2020). According to the aging population, it can be said that the young population consisting of the Z generation, which is expected to have a critical position in the business world of the future in developing or developed countries, has an essential place in terms of entrepreneurship, professionalism, and leadership.…”

“…Gen Z is more involved in today's digital world (Wilson, 2019). This generation is multitasking while using multiple technological devices at the same time (Geyer & Louw, 2020). Accordingly, for Z generation, who does not know and strangle the life before the Internet, to be successful in business life, it should also know the values and characteristics of the past business world.…”