Document Type
Dissertation
Date of Award
2026
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Health Science
First Advisor
Kory Zimney
Abstract
As the aging adult population continues to grow, the utilization and need for medical services for this population are increasing. These trends have raised concerns about the impact of ageist beliefs among health care providers on the health and well-being of older adults. Physical therapists are health care providers who care for aging adults across health care settings. Given the large percentage of physical therapists who care for older adults and the known negative health implications of ageist beliefs among providers, it is imperative that educators in physical therapy programs use learning activities that positively influence students’ beliefs, attitudes, and anxiety toward older adults and aging. However, little is known about the educational strategies in physical therapy curricula that address students' beliefs, attitudes, and anxiety about aging. Using a mixed methods design, the purpose of this dissertation was to 1) understand how participation in an intergenerational program changes first-year physical therapy students' attitudes, beliefs, and anxiety towards older adults and aging, and 2) understand the lived experiences of students participating in the intergenerational program and their perception of the impact of the program on their understanding and perceptions about aging and older adults. Quantitative analysis demonstrated statistically significant improvement in attitudes, beliefs, and anxiety following participation. Improvements were observed regardless of participants’ baseline knowledge about aging. Qualitative findings generated five themes: (a) the influence of prior experiences with older adults, (b) recognition and awareness of personal biases, (c) understanding the impact of bias and ageism in health care, (d) perceived changes in beliefs, attitudes, and anxiety, and (e) professional growth. The integrated findings indicate that participation in a structured intergenerational program can positively influence students’ beliefs, attitudes, and anxiety while promoting reflective practice and professional development. The combination of educational content and positive contact with older adults supports the use of intergenerational experiences in physical therapy curricula. These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting intergenerational programming in health care education to reduce ageism and prepare future health care professionals.
Subject Categories
Medicine and Health Sciences
Keywords
Ageism, Intergenerational Program, Physical Therapy Students
Number of Pages
160
Publisher
University of South Dakota
Recommended Citation
Staloch, Catherine, "Title: The Impact of Intergenerational Program Participation on First-Year Physical Therapy Students’ Beliefs, Attitudes, and Anxiety About Aging and Older Adults: A Mixed Methods Study" (2026). Dissertations and Theses. 432.
https://red.library.usd.edu/diss-thesis/432