University of Texas @ Arlington

This project is a dissertation in the School of Social Work. A questionnaire for social work students has been created to look at variables related to the students interest in working with the senior population. Surveys will be distributed on the web through listservs in the various schools of social work for the state of Texas to create a convenience sample of both BSW and MSW students. The URL for the web based survey will be distributed to students in printed form in those schools where listservs are not available. Data collection for this dissertation is planned for October/November, 2004. Completion of the project is expected by the end of January 2005.

Background: Americans are aging with a variety of health, psychological and social needs. Social workers will be needed to assist the large aging population over the next 30-50 years. Social work students' limited interest in gerontological social work will create a shortage in this area over the next few years unless interest can be increased.

Past studies have used small samples to look at associations between various factors related to interest in working with this population. The purpose of this study is to combine all of these factors into a model that illustrates interest in gerontological social work.

Methodology: A questionnaire has been developed based on past research in this area. Social work students in BSW and MSW programs across the state of Texas will be invited through student listservs and printed materials to participate in this study via on-line survey sponsored by questionpro.com.
Analysis: Multiple regression will be used to compare students reported interest in working in the field of gerontological social work (dependent variable) with
broad independent variables and subvariables. The independent variables include knowledge about aging; attitudes about aging; experience with the senior population and perceived opportunities in the field. Subanalysis will be performed to compare interest among students in urban and suburban schools with students in rural schools. Other subanalysis will include demographic variables (gender, cultural background and age).
Results: Using the results of this study, recommendations will be made for recruitment and education of social work students to increase interest in this growing field