THE RELATIONSHIP OF CONTACT WITH GRANDPARENTS AND ETHNIC BACKGROUND TO ADOLESCENTS' ATTITUDES TOWARD OLDER PERSONS

This study examined the relationship between adolescents' attitudes toward older persons and adolescents' contact with older persons, particularly the grandparent known best. Analysis of the data collected from questionnaires completed by approximately 300 high school students indicated these adolescents had positive attitudes toward older persons.;Attitudes toward the grandparent known best scores were higher than attitudes toward older persons scores in this sample. Ethnic background and style of grandparenting made a difference in attitudes toward the grandparent known best. The quality and not the type of contact with older persons other than grandparents made a difference in attitudes toward the grandparent known best.;Also, frequency of contact with the grandparent known best did not relate to attitudes toward the grandparent known best nor the attitudes toward older persons.;This study found attitudes toward older persons and attitudes toward the grandparent known best were not the same. Although they were found to be related, they represent two different attitudes.;The style of grandparenting and ethnic background did not make a difference in these adolescents' attitudes toward older persons. Both the type and quality of the contact with older persons other than grandparents made a difference in attitudes toward older persons.;Social contact with older persons proved to be a factor in adolescents' attitudes toward older persons. Ethnic background and grandparent contact proved to be important in adolescents' attitudes toward their grandparent known best.