Work

Validation of the brief scale on ageism in university students (BSAUS)

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: • Socially, there are negative prejudices towards elderly, with ageism being an international problem that must be directed towards the training of university students. • The scales to measure ageism, until now, did not include a specific one for university students such as the EBEU. • The EBEU scale is considered valid and reliable because it presents consistency in the health, character-personality and motivational-social dimensions, of which the ageism construct consists. • The EBEU scale is a tool to evaluate ageism in university students, updated, easy to apply and useful to guide teaching planning that reduces ageist behaviors. This study validates the Brief Scale on Ageism in University Students (BSAUS) to support educational objectives for reducing negative biases towards older adults. Using a quantitative methodology with inferential analysis and second-generation techniques, the study verified the factorial structure and psychometric properties of the BSAUS. Cross-sectional surveys were conducted with 1,347 students from the Universities of Valladolid, Lleida, and Zaragoza between 2018/19 and 2022/23. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed Cronbach's alpha values of 0.76 and 0.74 for the Ageism construct, while Wellbeing, Behavioural, and Personality dimensions scored 0.70–0.66, 0.55, and 0.58–0.60, respectively. Composite reliability exceeded the 0.7 criterion across measures. The BSAUS, comprising three dimensions, is validated as a reliable tool for assessing discrimination, prejudices, and stereotypes towards older adults in university contexts. This scale has potential for ageism reduction initiatives and can inform strategies to prevent discriminatory behaviour towards older adults.

Source: Geriatric Nursing

DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2025.03.002