Bridging older adults and young individuals through a nonfamilial intergenerational programme
Exploring solidarity, attitude change, and community strengthening through a mixed-methods approach
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21537565 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Hasan Yeniçırak (0000-0001-8769-6669, Kırklareli University, corresponding author), Çiğdem Gülçay Yeniçırak (0000-0002-6926-6267, Kırklareli University), Yeliz Mercan (0000-0002-7099-4536, Kırklareli University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Pages | 1-20 |
| Publication date | 2026-01-13 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Educational Gerontology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0360-1277 • E-ISSN: 1521-0472 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/03601277.2026.2615377 |
| OpenAlex | W7123640171 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 60 |
Intergenerational programs are increasingly recognized as instruments for fostering social cohesion and active aging, yet few studies in Turkey have examined their reciprocal effects on younger and older participants. This mixed-methods study evaluated an eight-week intergenerational program situated within a third-age university framework, assessing its impact on university students’ and nursing home residents’ attitudes, as well as students’ intergenerational solidarity. Forty-six participants—26 students (mean age 20.62 ± 1.42) and 20 older adults (mean age 76.50 ± 4.59) – were assigned to experimental and control groups. Quantitative measures included Kogan’s Attitudes Toward Older People (KAOP), the Attitude Scale Toward Young People (ASTYP), and the Intergenerational Solidarity Scale (ISS), complemented by semi-structured interviews analyzed through descriptive phenomenology. Results indicate that experimental students experienced significant improvements in KAOP Positive Attitudes, Total Scores, and ISS Normative Solidarity, alongside reductions in KAOP Negative Attitudes and increases in ISS Affectual and Normative Solidarity (p < .05). Older adults in the experimental group demonstrated decreased Negative Attitudes and increased ASTYP Positive Attitudes and Total Scores (p < .05). Findings highlighted enhanced empathy, social awareness, and engagement among students, and improved self-esteem and psychological well-being among older adults. By focusing on nursing home residents in Turkey, this study addresses a critical empirical gap and offers a replicable framework for promoting active aging, intergenerational solidarity, and socially embedded policy interventions, with implications for adult education and family-focused policy design
Family relationship · Social support · Young adult · Aging and Gerontology Research · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Technology Use by Older Adults
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| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |