Exploring Knowledge and Attitudes on Gerontology Among Muslim Gifted and Talented Students

Malaysia is currently at a pivotal stage in its demographic transition towards an ageing population. According to the Department of Statistics Malaysia, the population aged 65 years and above is projected for 6.4% within the next 20 years. This demographic shift is expected to place unprecedented demands on the nation’s healthcare and social support systems, underscoring the importance of preparing younger generations for gerontological awareness. While most existing studies have focused on the health status of the elderly, there is limited research examining knowledge and attitudes related to gerontology among youth, who represent the future intellectual and leaders of the nation.Therefore, this study aimed to assess their knowledge and attitudes towards gerontology among Muslim gifted and talented students. A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was employed, and self-administered questionnaires were distributed among secondary students at Kolej PERMATA Insan between June and August 2025. The knowledge component of the instrument was adapted from Palmore’s Facts on Aging Quiz, while the attitude component was adapted from the DREAM Instrument, both contextualized with an Islamic perspective. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0 (IBM, USA). Findings indicated that most students demonstrated moderate levels of knowledge (72.5%) and attitude (76.5%). Spearman’s correlation revealed a significant positive relationship (p < 0.01),