Intergenerational Engagement Research Articles

The Voices of Older African Immigrants on How They Cope with Social Isolation and Loneliness in the United States

ABSTRACT Objectives Up to 40% of older adults in the US, including older African immigrants, report experiencing social isolation and loneliness. Despite this prevalence, there is limited understanding of how they cope with these challenges. This study aims to contribute to a broader understanding of the coping mechanisms employed by older African immigrants in the face of loneliness and social isolation. Methods Using a qualitative approach, this study recruited and conducted semi-structured interviews with 11 participants aged 63–79. Results Four themes emerged from the data through a thematic analysis approach which includes a) Positive self-talk and adaptation: “I have to cope with it,” b) Technology/social media: “if I cannot interact physically outside, I go through social media/watch TV,” c) Intergenerational engagement beyond caregiving: “They [grandchildren] are my immediate constituency,” and d) Digging deep through faith: “Interactions have been mostly within the church.” Conclusions Older African immigrants may find strategies to cope with social isolation and loneliness, but additional support may be needed to strengthen their coping skills and enhance their social network with people outside of their families. Clinical Implications Intervention should focus on regular assessment and strengthening of their social network outside the family unit.

President’s address*

ABSTRACT Delivered at the 20th IPHS conference in Hong Kong, this President’s Address explores the role of society and of planning history in a changing world. It argues that the society has a long history of international, innovative, and inter-generational engagement. It proposes that planning history can help promote ecosystemic thinking, facilitate understanding of historic path dependencies and their impact on contemporary spaces and planning, and provide a foundation for activating for planning societally just futures. Together, the members of the society can help explore the role of history for future planning.

Challenging the youth assumptions behind P/CVE: acknowledging older extremists

ABSTRACT Preventing/Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE) interventions are largely based on theories that young people (especially young men) are particularly vulnerable to radicalisation leading to violent extremism. Youth is seen as a vulnerable time of identity formation, separation from family and openness to other influences. However, too much focus on youth as a driver of extremism misses the existence of older participants in extremist violence, clouds understanding of the reasons for their violent acts and neglects an important demographic in P/CVE. In this article, we challenge the “youth radicalisation” thesis which underpins so much P/CVE work and argue that such work needs to acknowledge the existence of older militants who experience long-term and intergenerational engagement with violent movements. We do this through analysis of a series of interviews with 11 older men (and 6 family members), from Ireland/Northern Ireland and Bosnia and Herzegovina, who have been involved in violent extremism. The reasons for their involvement are found to lie in family and community cohesion across interconnected generations in contexts of political conflict. The findings therefore challenge the automatic connection of youth and radicalisation and so call into question P/CVE initiatives which are only youth centric. Instead, it is essential to create interventions based on theories of change that understand intergenerational cohesion, grievances in sectarianised contexts and political interrelationships between states and communities.

Using creative methodology to explore LGBTQ+ love and relationship experiences across the lifespan: Developing inclusive and healthy spaces through positive intergenerational exchange

IntroductionImportant lessons can be learned from the intergenerational sharing of lifetime love and relationship stories between multigenerational LGBTQ + people, to inform education, healthcare, and policy. However, such exploratory studies have been limited. The aim of this co-creation study was to explore younger and older peoples’ LGBTQ + love and relationship experiences using creative methodology. MethodsThree 2-h virtual fictional writing and storytelling workshops were conducted at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in Edinburgh, Scotland. Participants included 2 middle-aged adults; 3 older adults aged 55+; and 5 youths who identified as either lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer. Participants’ stories were audio-recorded, transcribed and thematically-analyzed to capture understandings of intergenerational knowledge exchange and LGBTQ + love and relationships across sociocultural and environmental contexts. Diverse experiences were unpacked and shared through a self-reflexive creative writing process. FindingsParticipants identified the act of storytelling and fictional writing as particularly liberating, providing a platform for voice and reflexivity. The reflexive analysis highlighted the importance of reflexivity and the careful navigation of intersectionality and power within research contexts. Our introspective analysis resulted in valuable future directions for employing creative methodologies to further explore diverse experiences within LGBTQ + research. ConclusionsParticipants reported that being able to craft their stories was a freeing experience, enabling sense-making to occur. Using creative methodology was demonstrated as an effective way to facilitate intergenerational engagement, and bring to light the complexities of LGBTQ + love and relationships across generations in a safe environment.

Intergenerational engagement with Asian residents in long-term care facilities: a mixed method systematic review.

Asian countries are experiencing a rapid rise in their aging populations. Cognitive and physical decline associated with aging can limit social interaction. This particularly impacts on those residing in long-term care facilities and engagement with children and young people. Intergenerational engagement has known benefits on the health and wellbeing of older people, it is unclear what the impact of intergeneration engagement interventions might have on older people in Asian long-term care settings. This review aims to evaluate the effectiveness and experiences of intergenerational engagement with older people in long-term care facilities in Asia. Ten databases were searched to locate empirical studies of any design published in English or Chinese from January 2000 to June 2023. The search was limited to papers reporting effectiveness and/or experiences of intergenerational engagement on older people residing in Asian long-term care settings. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023413935) and followed PRISMA guidelines for reporting. A convergent design employing narrative synthesis was used to synthesize and integrate findings. From initial searches, 1,092 records were identified, of which 13 studies were retained for the review: 7 quantitative (including 1 randomized controlled trial, 1 cross-sectional observational design, and 5 quasi-experimental designs), 3 qualitative, and 3 mixed methods. Included studies were of variable quality. Quantitative evidence revealed that intergenerational engagement reduced depression (4.47 vs. 8.67, p = 0.005), negative emotions (14.11 vs. 16.56, p = 0.030), and feelings of loneliness (p < 0.01) among older people; and increased quality of life (mean change = -1.91; 95% CI = -3.18, -0.64) and strengthens interpersonal interactions (p = 0.025). Qualitative insights suggested that intergenerational engagement could foster emotional bonds, enhance intergenerational relationships, promote lifelong learning, satisfy social needs and improve older peoples' overall quality of life. However, some challenges such as language differences and noise levels can hinder successful implementation of intergenerational engagement. This review indicates that intergenerational engagement can reduce depression and loneliness, improve quality of life, and strengthen social bonds for older individuals in Asian long-term care facilities. Despite some challenges, the evidence underlines its potential to meet the emotional and social needs of older people. Recognizing and addressing delivery challenges is essential for effective implementation. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023413935, identifier: CRD42023413935.

Robot-Mediated Intergenerational Childcare: Experimental Study Based on Health-Screening Task in Nursery School

Intergenerational interactions between children and older adults are gaining broader recognition because of their mutual benefits. However, such interactions face practical limitations owing to potential disease transmission and the poor health of older adults for face-to-face interactions. This study explores robot-mediated interactions as a potential solution to address these issues. In this study, older adults remotely controlled a social robot to perform a health-screening task for nursery school children, thereby overcoming the problems associated with face-to-face interactions while engaging in physical interactions. The results of this study suggested that the children responded favorably to the robot, and the rate of positive response increased over time. Older adults also found the task generally manageable and experienced a significant positive shift in their attitude toward children. These findings suggest that robot-mediated interactions can effectively facilitate intergenerational engagement and provide psychosocial benefits to both the parties to the engagement. This study provides valuable insights into the potential of robot-mediated interactions in childcare and other similar settings.

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

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.

PROMOTING INTERGENERATIONAL EXCHANGES WITHIN RURAL AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES: A CBPR APPROACH

Abstract The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Age-Friendly Cities (AFC) guide identifies eight interconnected domains for promoting the well-being, engagement, and participation of older adults in community activities and events. It defines an inclusive society as one that actively encourages older adults to participate in their community’s social, civic, and economic life. Research often prioritizes addressing the physical challenges many older adults face, frequently overlooking societal engagement aspects that promote active aging and inclusion. This research outlines how a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) approach was used to uncover and address the societal stigmas and counterproductive attitudes experienced by older adults in a rural age-friendly designated community. Our CBPR approach is characterized as a process encountered in three stages: (i) conducting a multigenerational survey on age-friendliness, (ii) engaging community members in planning intergenerational opportunities, and (iii) implementing intergenerational engagement activities identified in earlier stages. By participating in methodologies from both CBPR and grounded theory approaches, older adults acquired agency and voice in the research process, thus directly impacting age-friendly outcomes in their communities. Our findings detail the importance of utilizing a CBPR approach when researching core AFC fundamentals that are instrumental in creating inclusive policies and promoting healthful, mutually beneficial intergenerational opportunities.

INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN FOR INTERGENERATIONAL AND AGE-INCLUSIVE LEARNING: LESSONS FROM A GERONTOLOGY CLASSROOM

Abstract The paper will present a multi-year research study that examined the learning needs of first-generation younger and older learners in a graduate-level online learning environment. Ageism and related stereotyping will be reviewed as concepts that reflect a potentially biased understanding of all age groups that should be addressed in intergenerational learning activities. Students’ perceptions of understanding aging issues and stereotypes were compared pre- and post-course. A model will be presented about designing an age-inclusive, age-friendly online course design utilizing intergenerational learning activities to optimize learning outcomes while reducing ageist assumptions through targeted virtual discussions about diversity perceptions in the classroom—the design of intergenerational engagement discussion and other learning assignment activities in an introductory graduate gerontology course. Implications for creating intergenerational programming will be discussed.

DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTERGENERATIONAL AND AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY: APPLICATION OF THE SOCIAL CAPITAL FRAMEWORK

Abstract In intergenerational programs, people from multiple generations share their talents, build healthy social relationships, and experience improved well-being and social presence and identity (Lee et al., 2021). As a part of age-friendly community initiative in a small city in the Northeast, an intergenerational engagement community project, named “Senior to Senior”, involved a multi-year partnership among community agencies, including the local Office for Aging, a university, a high school, a senior center, and a church. As part of this partnership, a community dance was held in May of 2022, where local high school students and older adults participated in a variety of intergenerational activities. This study explored how the principles of social capital are incorporated into the development of intergenerational and age-friendly communities. Using focus groups with community partners (n=6) and surveys with older adult participants (n=29), the research team sought to describe how community agencies collaborate on the development of intergenerational and age-friendly communities. Carpiano’s framework of social capital (2008) guided the data analysis and the development of following themes: (a) importance of social capital identification; (b) development of social cohesion among multiple generations; (c) assessment of social antecedent for the development of intergenerational and age-friendly community; and, (d) outcomes of the community events on diverse stakeholders. The findings highlight the importance of understanding the contextual factors of each community and the agencies within, while also elucidating the necessity of stakeholder buy-in for the sustainable development of intergenerational and age-friendly communities.

Remembering the Past with Today's Technology: A Scoping Review of Reminiscence-Based Digital Storytelling with Older Adults.

Reminiscence has been identified as a potentially effective intervention strategy for the mental health of older adults. It has been suggested that reminiscence work and subsequent production of a life storybook (e.g., DST: digital storytelling) is associated with improvements in the well-being of older adults. The specific objectives of this scoping review are to: (1) examine how reminiscence-based DST is conducted/used with older adults, (2) identify whether and how intergenerational engagement is included in this literature, and (3) report on the outcomes identified in this literature, including older adults as well as other participants such as co-creators and viewers of DST. A scoping review following the Joanna Briggs Institute's methods and the Arksey and O'Malley framework examined studies published in English that included reminiscence with older adults and incorporated digital storytelling. The initial search resulted in 702 articles for review, and following screening, 35 studies were included for full-text review. A total of 10 articles specifically on reminiscence-based DST were identified for final review. Only one study intentionally included intergenerational engagement in its design. DST impacted older adults on their personal meaning and catharsis, social connectedness, cognitive function, and spiritual and emotional well-being. Impacts on reviewers and creators were also reported. Overall, the combination of individual reminiscence work with intergenerational engagement and the use of DST is largely understudied. Additional research is warranted given there is a credible evidence base for these types of interventions.

Intergenerational Engagement and Challenges: Participants’ Perspectives on Intergenerational Activities in Hong Kong

ABSTRACT This study examined the motivations, perceived benefits, and challenges of engaging in intergenerational programs from the perspectives of older adults and university students. A narrative interview approach was employed, involving a sample of 38 older adults and 20 university students who participated in intergenerational programs in Hong Kong. The motivation to reinforce intergenerational contact, strengthen social cohesion, and previous productive experiences were driving forces behind individuals’ participation in intergenerational programs. Moreover, participating in intergenerational programs enhanced mutual understanding between generations, and expanded knowledge and social circles of participants. However, participants found it was challenging to cope with intergenerational conflicts, role conflict and ambiguity, inactive engagement, and difficulty in establishing meaningful connections between generations. It is suggested that program designers and organizers should establish collaboration between various institutions, provide appropriate training sessions, and incorporate meaningful and purposeful components in program design to improve the quality of intergenerational programs.

The COVID-19 pandemic, cultural heritage, and policy in Japan: implications of survey data

ABSTRACT The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted Japanese society, including its relationship with cultural heritage. This paper shares findings of a large-scale web-based survey conducted from January to February 2022, reaching over 10,000 respondents using a smartphone questionnaire system, aimed at answering the following questions: ‘What impact has the pandemic had on societies and local communities in Japan?’ and ‘What policies should be implemented to protect cultural heritage in response to this new situation in Japan?’. A cross-cutting analysis of the collected responses and respondent attributes was performed. The paper offers four recommendations for long- and short-term cultural heritage policies to enhance future protection. Firstly, it emphasizes increasing cultural heritage awareness, targeting youth and the economically disadvantaged. Secondly, it recommends a reassessment of the prevailing policy structures related to temples and shrines. This recognises the traditional role these institutions have played as community gathering places. Thirdly, it emphasizes supporting smaller, rural festivals with financial aid for repairs, promotions, and bridging migrant gaps. Finally, it suggests integrating the younger generation into the cultural heritage discourse through educational initiatives and digital resources, ensuring continued relevance and intergenerational connection to cultural heritage in Japan. These policy suggestions stand as the linchpin for perpetuating cultural heritage and fostering intergenerational engagement therein.

O.1.2-10 Intergenerational co-production to increase physical activity and social connectivity for health in the GOALD project (Generating Older Active Lives Digitally)

Abstract Purpose The Generating Older Active Lives Digitally (GOALD) project aimed to explore how to use digital technology to keep older people physically active and socially connected for health and wellbeing. This project took a novel inclusive interdisciplinary approach working with a range of collaborating organisations to review and co-design digital technologies that support social connectedness, through physical activity, and sport reminiscence. This presentation presents the outcomes from Phase 1 where researchers engaged with an advisory group to determine key challenges and potential outcomes of intergenerational engagement with digital technology for health and wellbeing. Methods Participants were 28 individuals with experience in working with older people (range: 1-41 years) across different contexts (e.g., nursing care, social work, family care) and with some themselves being older (age range: 32-79 years). Over eight months, advisory group members were invited to ten 1hr meetings facilitated by GOALD researchers to help develop data collection measures, and address recruitment issues for future co-production and design plans. Recordings were transcribed and subjected to thematic content analysis. Results Challenges identified at advisory group meetings worked as a proxy for anticipated challenges as the GOALD project unfolded. Examples of key challenges were continuing COVID-19 restrictions in England and Scotland, internet disruptions, care home staffing, and family responsibilities. The shared expertise from the advisory group through their working and lived experiences helped to direct and refine the next steps of the GOALD project, including appropriate survey design, awareness of the contextual realities of research in care homes, and appropriate consideration of people with different abilities. Conclusions Lessons learned about how challenges such as the care home context, timing, technical support, and competing priorities influence co-produced research helps to inform researchers on how to approach intergenerational and/or co-productive research methods and design of tools to enhance older adult health and wellbeing through physical activity and sport. Support/Funding Source This project has received funding from the UKRI and ESRC Healthy Ageing Social Behavioural and Design Research Programme (SBDRP) grant No ES/V016113/1. https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/centre-for-health-technology/goald

“We are all spiritual beings on a human journey”: gerotranscendence and generativity in the stories of South Asian American older adults

ABSTRACT Although one of the fastest-growing ethnic minority groups in the US, South Asians (SA) remain underrepresented in research, public health programs, and policies. South Asian American older adults, many of whom migrate later in life to reunite with their adult children, are particularly disadvantaged given the limited availability of culturally congruent health and social care, thus often adversely affecting their ability to age well. Furthermore, recent ethnogerontological research suggests that the meanings attached to aging well may differ across cultures. This qualitative study attempts to bridge this gap in knowledge by foregrounding the stories of SA older adults and their perceptions of aging well. Semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with South Asian Americans 50 years and older (n = 32; 18 women; 14 men). Thematic analysis of the interview data showed that aging well for participants entailed (1) gerotranscendence, reflected in a less materialistic and more cosmic worldview, graceful acceptance of death, and an increase in altruistic behavior; and (2) generativity, wherein participants felt an obligation to preserve their role as cultural transmitters and keepers of traditional wisdom that they would pass on to the next generation. Religious faith and spiritual well-being facilitated, while communication gaps between generations acted as barriers to aging well. Increased volunteering opportunities, meaningful intergenerational engagement, and involvement in faith-based activities may enhance their subjective well-being and enable SA older adults to age well.

Human connections: intergenerational engagement, intentionality, and third places

ABSTRACT This article presents a study that focused on employees and their experiences of an intergenerational program with older adult volunteers in a child-care facility. The paper explores the intentional creation of third places and its contribution to the development and maintenance of relationships between child-care staff and volunteers. Findings from this study indicate that building respect, valuing commitment, and gaining enjoyment are vital aspects of the human connections that are established and nourished in third places.

A review of different types of volunteer programs for older adults with and without cognitive impairment.

Theoretical models and empirical evidence suggest an association between volunteering and health outcomes in older adults. However, less is known about existing programs that involve older adults engaging in formal volunteering, especially programs for older volunteers with cognitive impairment. In this review, we summarized and evaluated different types of volunteering-based programs involving older volunteers with and without cognitive impairment. After a non-systematic literature search, we presented eight example volunteer programs. Older volunteers participate in the programs in person or remotely. In five of the programs, older volunteers without cognitive impairment participate in intergenerational engagement, support and referral, home visiting, and dementia care services. The other three programs specifically recruit older volunteers with cognitive impairment and provide intergenerational engagement and individualized volunteer activities. Both strengths and challenges identified in the programs were discussed. Different types of volunteering-based programs are available for engaging older volunteers. For volunteers to remain active during the pandemic or for volunteers who live with cognitive impairment, remote programs can be a valuable alternative. Program effects on older volunteers need to be tested in more rigorously designed studies.

Non-familial intergenerational interventions and their impact on social and mental wellbeing of both younger and older people-A mapping review and evidence and gap map.

Non-familial intergenerational interventions and their impact on social and mental wellbeing of both younger and older people-A mapping review and evidence and gap map.

The perspectives program: creating “connections beyond the years”

ABSTRACT The Perspectives program is a unique collaborative undertaking where communication design students and people living in long-term care homes co-create ‘zines’ featuring the life stories of individuals living in care. A research project was undertaken to explore the effectiveness of the program as perceived by the people living in care, the staff who work with them, and design students. This was a qualitative study, using mixed qualitative methods. Two care homes in the Vancouver area participated, and 30 people living in care, 32 students, and 6 care home staff were involved. Data collection methods involved observation of Perspectives sessions, interviews with residents and staff, and student surveys. Four core themes resulted from the qualitative thematic analysis: The reciprocity of intergenerational exchange, the value of storytelling in building connections, the impact of connecting relationally, and the need for meaningful and empowering activities. Overall, the Perspectives program demonstrates the value of intergenerational engagement and connection, as well as the benefit of providing empowering activities for people living in care homes. The close relationships formed amongst the participants of different ages throughout the Perspective sessions highlights the importance of creating spaces where collaborative activities may occur, and where both young adult students and people living in care can be involved and connect together in the world around them.

OPENING THE DOOR TO AGING IN PLACE: FINDINGS FROM THE INTERGENERATIONAL TORONTO HOMESHARE PROGRAM

Abstract Older adults prefer to live in their own homes for as long as possible — to 'age in place' — but for myriad reasons, may be unable to do so. To address this, a number of housing alternatives have been explored, including homesharing, or homeshare, an exchange-based shared housing approach with the potential to empower older adults to age in place by enabling them to obtain additional income, companionship, and assistance with completing household tasks in exchange for renting out a room in their home.An intergenerational homesharing pilot program in Toronto matched older adults (55+) with postsecondary students. With limited research in the area, a mixed methods research study was embedded within the pilot project with the goals of: 1) conducting a scoping review to map and synthesize the literature related to outcomes of homeshare participation for this population, 2) conducting in-depth interviews with homeshare participants (N=22) to learn about their experiences, and 3) conduct a full evaluation and exit survey to better understand the implications of the project. Results were organized around the following themes: (1) benefits and challenges of participating in homeshare for older adults; (2) intergenerational engagement as social exchange; and (3) the key role of agency facilitation as a determinant of the experience of homesharing for older adults. Results spoke to the unique benefits and challenges of participating in homeshare for this population. Findings were used to derive implications for policy and practice, as well as highlight areas for future research.