Between Islands – an Intergenerational Contact and Creative Practice Program

Abstract

ABSTRACT Addressing ageism is a serious social issue in need of targeted, empirically based solutions. Facilitating intergenerational contact is one promising means of reducing ageism. Between Islands was a creative practice and intergenerational contact intervention designed to promote connection while challenging stereotypes about aging and older adults. Before the intervention began, young and older adults received two 2.5 pound blocks of clay, paints, and paintbrushes. During the four-week online intervention, participants learned about the history of hand-weights and circuit training, engaged in creative practice (designed, sculpted, and decorated hand-weights), and got to know one another through group based discussion as well as smaller group prompts and zoom breakout rooms. Among young adults, paired t-tests demonstrate a significant decrease in benevolent ageism and intergenerational tension. In addition, open-ended responses illustrate how the intervention challenged stereotypes about older adults, supported the recognition of similarities between young and older adults, and facilitated connection between participants. Results from Between Islands, an intervention rooted in theory, offer promise for reducing ageism and intergenerational tensions using unique and creative programming.