Intergenerational Engagement Program Improves Attitudes and Skills

Sample size: 709 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Wong Alice C, Lai Daniel W L, Ou Alison Y T, Bai Xue

Primary Institution: Hong Kong Baptist University

The i-GESS program will enhance positive intergenerational interactions among older adults, university students, and secondary school students.

The i-GESS initiative successfully improved attitudes and communication skills across different age groups.

Secondary school students showed a significant 13.7% improvement in attitudes towards older adults.
University students noted a 4.2% increase in their views towards youth.
Older adults recorded a 5% increase in their views towards youth.
Secondary school students recorded a 7.9% increase in self-rated communication skills.
University students recorded a 9.5% increase in self-rated communication skills.
Trust in communication increased by 12.1% among secondary school students.
Trust in communication improved by 5% among older adults.

This study shows that when older people and young students work together, they can learn to understand and respect each other better.

Quasi-experimental pre-post survey design.

129 older adults (age 60+), 110 university students (age 18 to 22), and 470 secondary school students (age 13 - 16).

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