För gammal för psykiatrin - En jämförande vinjettstudie om socionomstudenters bedömning av psykisk ohälsa utifrån ålder

Sammanfattning: The aim of this study was to investigate whether students in the field of social work assess symptoms of depression and suicidal ideation differently, depending on the age of the client. A case vignette method was used where social work students in Lund (N=102) and Helsingborg (N=71) responded to one of two online questionnaires each. The case vignette featured a 78 year old client for the students in Helsingborg and a 38 year old client for the Lund students. The data showed a significant difference in whether psychiatry, medication and psychotherapy would be helpful for the client. The data also suggested that depression was harder to detect in the elderly client than in the younger. Ageism was investigated as a possible cause given prejudice and stereotyping against the elderly.