Beyond exposure: Geriatric knowledge, contact appraisal, and ageism as correlates of willingness to work with older adults

Population aging increases the need for health professionals who are willing and prepared to work with older adults. This cross-sectional study examined correlates of willingness among 270 final-year students and practicing graduates from six health-related disciplines in Türkiye. The primary hierarchical regression included age, gender, educational/professional status, prior geriatric/gerontological experience, contact frequency, positive contact appraisal, contact burden, perceived theoretical preparation, perceived professional competence, geriatric knowledge, personal aging anxiety, collec