Where Have We Been and Where are We Going? Content Analysis of Evaluation Research of Intergenerational Programs

Abstract

Intergenerational programs target diverse youth, elder and community needs with creative practices and considerable success. With the earliest nonfamilial intergenerational interventions identified in the 1960s (i.e., Foster Grandparents in 1965), intergenerational program research is relatively new compared to parallel lines of inquiry in child, youth or adult development. Recently, scholars have encouraged practitioners and researchers alike to increase their use of theory- and evidence- based practices and state of the art research techniques. The present content analysis reflects four decades of intergenerational research published in English language journals to determine if characteristics of intervention studies echo these recommendations. Program and evaluation characteristics were coded along with research results. I describe trends in participant groups, study subjects, research designs, sources of data, methods of analysis and outcomes measured. Implications for practice and research for intergenerational scholars are addressed in the context of this developing area of intervention research.