Assessment of social workers’ educational needs in geriatric competencies and attitudes towards older adults

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Abstract
This study aims to assess social workers’ educational needs in geriatric competencies and their attitudes toward older adults, providing insights for the development of a targeted training program. This cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,619 social workers. Data were collected using the Geriatric Social Work Competency Scale and the UCLA Geriatric Attitudes Scale and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 26.0. The study received ethics committee approval from the Medical Research Ethics Committee of Ege University (Decision No. 21–5.1T/63, dated May 27, 2021). The study included 1,619 social workers, of whom 53.8% were women, with a median age of 32 years. The findings from the Geriatric Social Work Competency Scale revealed that social workers’ geriatric competencies were relatively low. A negative correlation was found between age and competency, whereas professional experience, as well as the subscales of values, assessment, and intervention, showed a positive correlation with competency. Additionally, the number of older adults with whom the social workers lived positively influenced their competency. The UCLA Geriatric Attitudes Scale indicated that social workers’ age was negatively correlated with their attitudes toward older adults, while professional experience and participation in in-service training on aging had a positive effect on their attitudes. This study emphasizes the importance of developing a specialized training program to enhance social workers’ geriatric competencies and attitudes toward older adults. Key factors such as age, professional experience, in-service training, and personal interactions with older adults significantly influence social workers’ effectiveness. Tailored training initiatives that focus on geriatric knowledge, positive attitudes, and practical skills will better equip social workers to meet the demands of an aging society.

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