Knowledge of Social Aspects of Aging Among Pastors

ABSTRACT

One hundred and sixty randomly selected pastors were questioned concerning their knowledge of key aspects of social aging. The instrument used was developed for this study and involved more sophisticated questions than are usually found on quizzes of this nature. The mean score was 55/100. Self education and participation in formal seminars in aging were positively associated with higher scores while seminary exposure to aging related course work was not Pastors were not good estimators of their own level of knowledge, but level of knowledge was positively associated with presence of church programs for the elderly.