Impact of an Intergenerational Book Club on Cross-Generational Attitudes: A Mixed-Methods Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT This mixed-methods study explores the impact of an intergenerational book club, Pages Across Ages, on cross-generational attitudes between older adults and college-aged students. Amidst growing concerns over ageism and demographic shifts, the study investigates how structured dialogue around selected literary works can facilitate understanding and empathy across generations. Pages Across Ages comprised weekly in-person and virtual meetings to discuss Kristin Hannah’s The Four Winds, a novel selected for its potential to foster point-driven conversation about relevant issues across the age continuum. Employing a combination of qualitative and quantitative measures, including the Aging Semantic Differential scale, the study reveals significant shifts in attitudes post-participation. Qualitative data from focus groups corroborate these findings, highlighting themes of mutual learning, changing perspectives, and social justice discussions as a result of intergroup contact. This research underscores the potential of book clubs, which have a rich history in America for their ability to act as vehicles for social change, as platforms for fostering intergenerational engagement and addressing age-related prejudices.