Intergenerational Relationships Research Articles

Wisdom of age is the main psychological geroprotector in older people (analytical review)

The article presents an analytical review of the problem of aging from the standpoint of social and spiritual forms of human life. The intensive growth in the number of elderly people has sharply reduced the quality of public attitude towards them. The foundations of social relations between elderly people and the state, intergenerational, family, and other relations have acquired a new colouring, in connection with which the importance of wisdom in solving these problems increases. The wisdom in an elderly person is potent of keeping his inner world in a state of balance. A wise person perceives his presence in life as a paradigm of integration, which determines the coexistence of all age phases during his life. It helps to cast aside regret about past failures, unfulfilled hopes, to find a lot of good even in a far from easy life. Wisdom is the universe to which a person should come in old age. Wisdom will always find something that will please and strengthen the spiritual strength of a person, make his life positions stable, lead away from despondency and a sense of helplessness. The wisdom of age creates self-confidence in an elderly person, pride in the years lived with dignity, in the benefits created, which are used by the young. The concept of “conscious aging” is based on inner strength and spiritual stability over old age. Of course, old age is full of sorrows, but life experience gives it prudence to endure them with dignity. Wisdom serves as a support for an aging person for the normal perception of all life changes, it constantly reminds him that life does not close its doors to him.

Older women migrants in Malaysia and their left-behind families

This paper looks at older Filipino female migrants in Malaysia. Based on semi-structured interviews and FGDs I conducted in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya from February to March 2018 and in August 2018, I found that women’s experiences of aging are linked to gender, social class and societal expectations of their familial roles. For them, family obligations as breadwinners meant working as domestic workers in Malaysia even way into their older years. While old age is not a hindrance to them to perform transnational care toward their left-behind families, tensions and ambivalence are present within their intergenerational relationships.

Can intergenerational relationships mitigate digital exclusion among China’s elderly population?

ABSTRACT In the burgeoning grey economy, the elderly have been widely praised for their digital readiness dividends. However, there remains a significant gap in the literature regarding solutions to the critical issue of digital exclusion faced by the elderly. This study utilizes the microdata from three waves of the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) in 2016, 2018, and 2020 to explore how intergenerational relationships influence the digital exclusion of older adults and identify the mechanisms. The findings reveal that strong intergenerational bonds significantly narrow the digital divide for the elderly. The analysis highlights that such relationships have a more pronounced impact on mitigating elderly digital exclusion among early-aged parents, males, residents of rural areas, and families where parents and offsprings cohabit. The mechanisms through which these relationships exert their influence include promoting intergenerational support exchanges, providing digital guidance from children to parents, and enhancing the elderly’s acceptance of digital technology. Furthermore, this paper employs the ‘one-child policy’ as a quasi-natural experiment to examine the moderating role. The findings underscore the value of nurturing parent-child bonds in reducing digital exclusion among the elderly, offering strategic insights for addressing this issue in societies experiencing both ageing populations and declines in birth rates.

Comparative plastome analysis of Arundinelleae (Poaceae, Panicoideae), with implications for phylogenetic relationships and plastome evolution

BackgroundArundinelleae is a small tribe within the Poaceae (grass family) possessing a widespread distribution that includes Asia, the Americas, and Africa. Several species of Arundinelleae are used as natural forage, feed, and raw materials for paper. The tribe is taxonomically cumbersome due to a paucity of clear diagnostic morphological characters. There has been scant genetic and genomic research conducted for this group, and as a result the phylogenetic relationships and species boundaries within Arundinelleae are poorly understood.ResultsWe compared and analyzed 11 plastomes of Arundinelleae, of which seven plastomes were newly sequenced. The plastomes range from 139,629 base pairs (bp) (Garnotia tenella) to 140,943 bp (Arundinella barbinodis), with a standard four-part structure. The average GC content was 38.39%, but varied in different regions of the plastome. In all, 110 genes were annotated, comprising 76 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes. Furthermore, 539 simple sequence repeats, 519 long repeats, and 10 hyper-variable regions were identified from the 11 plastomes of Arundinelleae. A phylogenetic reconstruction of Panicoideae based on 98 plastomes demonstrated the monophyly of Arundinella and Garnotia, but the circumscription of Arundinelleae remains unresolved.ConclusionComplete chloroplast genome sequences can improve phylogenetic resolution relative to single marker approaches, particularly within taxonomically challenging groups. All phylogenetic analyses strongly support the monophyly of Arundinella and Garnotia, respectively, but the monophylly of Arundinelleae was not well supported. The intergeneric phylogenetic relationships within Arundinelleae require clarification, indicating that more data is necessary to resolve generic boundaries and evaluate the monophyly of Arundinelleae. A comprehensive taxonomic revision for the tribe is necessary. In addition, the identified hyper-variable regions could function as molecular markers for clarifying phylogenetic relationships and potentially as barcoding markers for species identification in the future.

The Responsibilities of Social Work for Ecosocial Justice

The crisis of civilization we are experiencing unbalances the inter-relational, interdependency and intergenerational relationships of the planetary ecosystem, putting all species at risk. The current relationship between the unlimited economic development model and its social impacts in all regions, territories and communities is analyzed. These are more severe in the global South and the most impoverished populations, which often leads to conflicts, the deterioration of subsystems of life, and, as a result, movements of people. These challenges highlight the close interrelationship between social justice and issues of ecological injustice acting as a new source of inequality. The responsibility of social work, which is called on to incorporate the ecosocial perspective in all its areas and dimensions of practice, is becoming consolidated. To achieve this, five measures are proposed: expanding and strengthening the ethical and political basis of the profession; promoting the skilling-emancipatory models; cutting across all levels, methodologies and action areas; new fields of practice for ecosocial work; and introduction into social work curriculums. Social justice cannot be fully achieved without taking ecological justice into account.

Intergenerational Domination

AbstractThe political and ethical status of future generations is commonly discussed within conceptual frameworks like intergenerational justice, rights, or welfare. In this article, I argue that the concept of domination can provide a novel perspective on the philosophy of intergenerational relations. To that end, I first advance and defend a (slightly) revised conception of domination, drawing on Philip Pettit’s neorepublican view. Second, I establish a prima facie case for the existence of intergenerational domination and address four major objections to the claim that the present generation dominates future generations: the non-concurrency challenge, a modified version of the non-identity problem, the inescapability objection, and the problem of historical domination. Finally, I explore some implications and conceptual advantages of the framework of intergenerational domination. As a theoretical foundation of a comprehensive analysis of structures of domination, the proposed framework may contribute to identifying and reducing domination within and across generations.

Analysis of Gender and Mental Health Differences

With the rapid development of modern civilization, the increasing pressures of contemporary life, the fast pace of living, and the influence of social media, an increasing number of people are suffering from mental health issues. Mental health is an important aspect that everyone should be concerned about. Research has revealed that depression can significantly impact a person's professional and interpersonal skills, potentially affecting ones career trajectory. However, while both men and women face mental health issues, gender differences persist. Numerous studies have indicated that disparities exist in both brain structure and function between males and females. For instance, females may exhibit a greater advantage in emotional processing and social cognition, whereas males may demonstrate enhanced spatial cognition abilities. This study aims to explore gender differences in mental health across four factors. The result shows that, family intergenerational relationships have a greater impact on girls than boys. During their student years, interpersonal relationships within dormitories have a greater influence on boys. In the social sphere, women are more prone to depression than men. From a personal perspective, females are also more likely to experience negative emotions compared to males.

‘I am afraid to fly there’: informal care in Polish migrants’ families immobilised by COVID-19

ABSTRACT This paper discusses the COVID-19 pandemic as a new external challenge to transnational family life that can undermine the care arrangements and intentions developed by the families of Polish migrants following the 2004 EU enlargement. The pandemic, associated lockdowns and travel restrictions raise questions about assumed transnationalism, building upon earlier concerns about taking for granted migrants’ cross-national mobility. Based on focus group discussions with Polish grandparents conducted in July 2020 and March 2021, we analyse the pandemic’s impact on intergenerational relations with both geographically close and distant kin. We point to perceptions of risks of COVID-19 associated with ethnicised stereotypes and evolving with time. While the pandemic caused temporary restrictions to mobility, it shows the immobilising side of “unsettling events”], the consequences of which, for privileged EU migrants, will unfold in time as their parents’ age and require personal care.

“It Can't Just Be the Younger People”: Exploring Young Activists' Perspectives on Intergenerational Tensions and Solidarities for Climate Justice

ABSTRACTYouth activism for climate justice is inherently intergenerational. Fundamentally, young activists demand urgent action by today's adult power‐holders for the security and well‐being of their own and future generations. Despite intergenerationality being core to the movement, few studies with young activists have explored their views and experiences of intergenerational relations and tensions and how to advance intergenerational solidarities for climate justice. Addressing these critical topics, the present study used in‐depth interviews with young activists (ages 15–17) in the climate justice movement across the US. Themes generated through reflexive thematic analysis centre on: (1) youths' adoption of “next generation” and “last generation” identities, respectively emphasising the heightened climate risks faced by their own and future generations, and the closing window of opportunity to prevent catastrophic climate breakdown; (2) their experiences of hostile and benevolent adultism; and (3) the need for adults to listen to, take seriously, centre, amplify, and—most importantly—respond to youths' demands. They urge adults, particularly those in powerful positions, to use their age‐based privilege, political enfranchisement, material resources, professional status, and decision‐making authority to uplift young people's voices and tangibly advance climate justice through solidarity‐driven intergenerational partnerships and action. Implications for youth‐centred research and policy are discussed.

Bridging Generations Through Movement: “How and Why” Intergenerational Programs Operate—A Systematic and Narrative Review

Well-being and social interaction are among the primary goals to be achieved for the elderly. Intergenerational physical activity (PA) has gained increasing attention due to its potential to encourage PA and social interaction, providing both social and physical benefits to both younger and older individuals. This review aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the potential roles of PA in facilitating intergenerational interactions and provide practical insights. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, the systematic review identified specific keywords to search for articles that met the chosen inclusion and exclusion criteria (n. 5 RCT articles, selected between 2009 and 2024), conducted by three independent reviewers. Scopus, PubMed, EBSCOhost, and Web of Science were consulted to identify relevant articles. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane RoB 2. For the narrative dissertation, articles were identified across three key areas of focus: types of PA, age groups, and intended goals. Results: Few studies have specifically implemented PA protocols in intergenerational relationships, and most have planned remote activities without monitoring outcomes. The main advantages of intergenerational PA are oriented towards the social and relational sphere rather than simple PA involvement. Conclusions: For the elderly, these programs may help mitigate age-related deficits, while children and adolescents, when adapting to their older counterparts, experience greater effectiveness when provided with clear guidance during shared activities. Considering the characteristics and needs of individuals of different ages, different activities must be proposed to obtain different results. The organization of workshops and preparatory sessions will help in facilitating relationships and interactions among participants.

Growing Old in the City: Challenges of Access to and Control of Urban Houses among Older Women in Low-income Suburbs of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

This study addresses the struggles for housing among older women, including the meaning attached to ownership and control of urban houses among low-income households. It analyses the extent to which older women in low-income suburbs of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, can age-in-place. I explain how the ideal of ageing in place for the nineteen women in this research (ages 60 – 90) is dependent on factors such as access to and control of one’s housing situation, which are impacted by whether or not they have good sibling and intergenerational family relationships. Family conflicts and unpleasant interactions with siblings, adult children, nephews, nieces, and grandchildren affect their chances of ageing well in their place of choice forcing some of them to begrudgingly retrace their steps back to the rural areas. These older women are poor and do not have reliable sources of income to look after themselves and the children under their care.

“Accept it or not?”: young people’s struggles with parental financing for property-purchase in Hong Kong

When skyrocketing house prices worsen housing affordability, parental financial support is suggested to be more important and prevalent in young people’s housing transition. However, little is known about young people’s perceptions and responses to it, particularly when they struggle among different sets of conflicting norms – the values of self-reliance, deep-seated home ownership preference, and marriage and gender expectations. Based on in-depth interviews with 50 highly educated young people aged 25–34 in Hong Kong, this study found that many young people were torn between the housing ideal – achieving home ownership by themselves – and economic realities. They did not necessarily welcome their parents’ home financing while many struggled to establish their financial responsibility even when they agreed to accept parents’ money. Some explicitly rejected parents’ assistance due to different concerns, such as preserving decision-making power. Gender and marriage norms also shape parents-of-daughters’ financing and young men’s acceptance. Young people’s attempts to carefully delineate financing responsibility in own housing projects (e.g. an outright rejection of parents’ money) may impede parents’ accumulating reciprocal support resources and shape intergenerational relationships in the long term.

Failed dreams, fresh beginnings: A conversation with Jason Karman on Golden Delicious

Growing up is never easy, as Asian-Canadian director Jason Karman makes clear in his first feature Golden Delicious (2022). In this interview, we discuss his widely acclaimed film, which was recognized by festivals including the Toronto Reelworld Film Festival, the Vancouver Asian Film Festival, FilmOut San Diego, and the Frameline San Francisco International LGBTQ Film Festival. The film’s title references a restaurant that links three generations of the Wong family. For over 20 years, George (Ryan Mah) and Andrea (Leeah Wong) have worked tirelessly to keep afloat the restaurant that he inherited from his parents. Now, they want bigger and better things for their children—seventeen-year-old Jake (Cardi Wong) and his sister Janet (Claudia Kai)—all the while overlooking their needs and wants. Such tensions are given renewed urgency by the entrance of the Wongs’ attractive new neighbour Aleks (Chris Carson) and by Andrea’s discovery of George’s affair. In this interview, Karman and I discuss some of the challenges of making this film; his reading of its central antagonist Ronald (Jesse Hyde); and the untidiness of its ending. This interview offers insights into intergenerational relationships and investigates how effective cinema can be for exploring their complexities.

Utopian Method

We analyze reader responses to Tove Jansson’s The Summer Book to suggest the novel offers a platform from which to imagine new, often utopian, thresholds of aging and intergenerational relationships. We suggest the way literature encourages utopian thinking is two-fold, allowing readers to reflect on the current state of the world around them and encouraging them to reimagine new possibilities. The aim of the reading groups was to use the novel to reflect on current age norms – socially, culturally, and politically – and reimagine new social futures relating to intergenerational relationships. In this paper, we discuss the findings from using The Summer Book as a platform to discuss attitudes to aging, time, intergenerational relationships, and age expectations. Participants opened up a number of avenues to reimagine age expectations, categories, and relationships, whilst also relating the fiction to their own experiences, which then often translated into discussions of how age-based stereotypes and intergenerational relationships need to be radically rethought. There were three main themes that we identified from these discussions: 1) countering age-expectations on the intergenerational island, 2) creating counter-narratives through the character of the Grandmother, 3) using the novel’s relational behaviors and practices to imagine better futures for intergenerational relationships.

Museum specimens shedding light on the evolutionary history and cryptic diversity of the hedgehog family Erinaceidae.

The family Erinaceidae encompasses 27 extant species in two subfamilies: Erinaceinae, which includes spiny hedgehogs, and Galericinae, which comprises silky-furred gymnures and moonrats. Although they are commonly recognized by the general public, their phylogenetic history remains incompletely understood, and several species have never been included in any molecular analyses. Additionally, previous research suggested that the species diversity of Erinaceidae might be underestimated. In this study, we sequenced the mitochondrial genomes of 29 individuals representing 18 erinaceid species using 18 freshly collected tissue and 11 historical museum specimens. We also integrated previously published data for a concatenated analysis. We aimed to elucidate the evolutionary relationships within Erinaceidae, estimate divergence times, and uncover potential underestimated species diversity. Our data finely resolved intergeneric and interspecific relationships and presented the first molecular evidence for the phylogenetic position of Mesechinus wangi, Paraechinus micropus, and P. nudiventris. Our results revealed a sister relationship between Neotetracus and Neohylomys gymnures, as well as a sister relationship between Hemiechinus and Mesechinus, supporting previous hypotheses. Additionally, our findings provided a novel phylogenetic position for Paraechinus aethiopicus, placing it in a basal position within the genus. Furthermore, our study uncovered cryptic species diversity within Hylomys suillus as well as in Neotetracus sinensis, Atelerix albiventris, P. aethiopicus, and Hemiechinus auratus, most of which have been previously overlooked.

Exploring the Impact of Social Engagement on the Mental Health of Elderly Individuals in India

This study explores how social interaction plays a critical role in determining the mental health outcomes of older adults in India. Given the rapidly ageing population and changing societal dynamics, it is critical to understand how social relationships affect older persons’ well-being. This study intends to explain the complex relationship between older Indians’ mental health and social involvement through an exploratory approach. Data was gathered from a varied sample of senior citizens in various parts of Delhi the National Capital of India using a mixed-methods technique. The frequency and caliber of social encounters, feelings of loneliness, and mental health markers including anxiety and sadness were all assessed using quantitative questionnaires. By offering actual data on the importance of social engagement for senior people’s mental health outcomes in the Indian setting, this study adds to the expanding body of research on geriatrics. The results highlight the need for focused interventions and policies that support social inclusion, intergenerational relationships, and the particular difficulties faced by ageing populations in quickly evolving cultures such as India. Also, we have documented that by and large female elderly enjoy a healthy mental life as compared to males.

Effect of internet usage on the life satisfaction of the elderly spousal caregivers of disabled elderly

This empirical study examines the impact of internet usage on the life satisfaction of spousal caregivers responsible for elderly individuals with disabilities. Utilizing data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), released in November 2023, we analyzed the health status and life satisfaction of these caregivers in the context of the recent rapid development of the internet. A stratified Proportionate to Size Sampling (PPS) approach was employed in this investigation. We assessed whether the life satisfaction of spousal caregivers is associated with internet use and whether internet adoption can moderate intergenerational relationships, interpersonal interactions, and political engagement among these caregivers. The study analyzed a sample of 760 individuals, with an average age of 60.31 years, and rural households comprising 77.14% of the sample. Our findings indicate a positive correlation between internet usage and the life satisfaction of spousal caregivers. This result enhances our understanding of the relationship between internet usage and life satisfaction in this context. Furthermore, this study supports the advancement of internet access for the aging population, assists elderly individuals in bridging the digital divide, and provides a theoretical foundation for the development of targeted, elderly-friendly internet policies by the government.

Psychological-Social Attitudes of Seniors Towards Stressful Situations in the Home Environment

Aim. The main goal of the article is to point out the attitude of seniors to stressful situations in the home environment from a psychological-social perspective. The authors identify selected categories of problem areas in the lives of seniors, which they later analyze in qualitative research. Methods. The authors used a literary-descriptive method and an open coding theory grounded in the empirical investigation of the methods. Qualitative research was carried out through interviews with seniors in which they identify burdensome problem situations and look for new solutions. start the analytical induction, the authors draw attention to new knowledge in individual problems of stress situations in seniors. Results. Seniors at home experience problematic situations associated with loneliness, loss, but also the very retirement of a partner and disrupted intergenerational relationships in the family. Home care is one of the solutions of these socio-psychological systems. Conclusion. Relationships in the family, which should be based on love, understanding, understanding and mutual help, also depend on the attitude of the senior citizen and his family towards an important situation. Relationships in the family to a large extent also affect the productivity of the senior's family. Here, a home care service proves to be a suitable alternative and help for the family.

A scoping review of reviews on helping professionals’ attitudes toward older adults

To examine helping professionals’ attitudes toward older adults is of critical importance in improving the quality of gerontological care and promoting a longevity society. The objective of the present study was to examine the current state of knowledge regarding helping professionals’ attitudes toward older people. This has been done through a review of recent systematic reviews. We used ten databases to search for systematic reviews published on peer-reviewed platforms from 2000 to September 2023. Initially, 730 articles were retrieved, of which 14 were found to be eligible for inclusion. Current evidence primarily focuses on three aspects of helping professionals’ attitudes toward older adults: (1) cognitive, affective and behavioural manifestations of ageist attitudes; (2) professional/educational and non-professional/non-educational factors that influence these attitudes; and (3) education-based and experience-based interventions targeting these attitudes. While it is difficult to synthesise the level of positivity or negativity in helping professionals’ attitudes, we found evidence of stereotypes of older people as incompetent and difficult, and passive emotions and behaviours when providing care. Gerontological knowledge, professional values and exposure to older adults are critical factors shaping helping professionals’ attitudes. Interventions based on positive gerontological education and improving intergenerational relationships have shown promising benefits. Our review identifies notable research gaps in current literature, namely the under-representation of non-Western regions and the lack of valid and culturally sensitive instruments for ageism-related concepts. It provides valuable insights for future research, practice and policy on ageism to improve the quality of gerontological care.

“Our Children Are Dead”: Past and Anticipated Adversity Shaping Caregiving and Cultural Reproduction among Banyamulenge Refugee Families in Rwanda

It is well known that experiences of extreme adversity strongly impact caregiving and family dynamics. In this study, we explore how caregiving is shaped by experiences of war and displacement among a community experiencing protracted, ongoing conflict and displacement, namely, Congolese Banyamulenge refugee families in Rwanda. The findings are based on six months of ethnographic team research with Banyamulenge refugee families living in semi-urban southern Rwanda. Among the caregivers, including people who arrived several years ago and others who have lived in Rwanda for over two decades, we found a strong longing for home and past cattle-herding life. We also found that caregivers emphasized the transmission of “survival tactics” as well as Banyamulenge identity and culture. We argue that these caregiving objectives and practices speak to the community’s experiences of material and existential losses in the past, as well as those anticipated in the unknown future. Second, parental caregiving efforts appear to lead to increased intergenerational dissonance, with children wishing to integrate into their host community. While this finding appears in line with much of the migration literature about intergenerational family relationships and conflict, we find that children’s orientation is not only informed by the host environment but also stems from a desire to relieve their parents’ suffering from loss and help them invest in more optimistic futures. Finally, while our findings suggest profound changes in social and cultural reproduction in the long term, we argue for caution, as ongoing changes in war dynamics in DR Congo may inform shifts in ideas on belonging among the children. The findings provide new insights for understanding how caregiving may be affected by war and displacement while effecting change in war-affected, displaced communities.