Mixing teenagers and seniors boosts both groups, but programs lack clear standards
A new review of intergenerational programs found that when adolescents and older adults interact as equals, both groups benefit—seniors gain cognitive engagement and wellbeing, while teens develop identity and skills. Yet researchers warn that without standardized implementation guidelines, these promising initiatives remain difficult to scale or replicate reliably.
Originaltitel: Effectiveness of intergenerational exchange programs between adolescents and older adults: a systematic review
<p>Communities are aging and becoming more segregated, leading to fractured relationships between generations. Intergenerational exchange has improved cohesion, particularly when different generations engage as equal partners. This paper presents a systematic review of intergenerational studies between adolescents and older adults. Thirteen papers were reviewed using PRISMA guidelines, and outcomes, methodological quality, facilitators, and barriers identified, to better understand effectiveness and inform recommendations for future practice. The framework informed quality assessment, and the papers were rated moderate or high quality. Unfortunately, heterogeneity across studies rendered comparison challenging. Further attention is required to elucidate guidelines for implementing and reporting intergenerational studies.Contribution to the Field </p><p>This review demonstrated how non-familial intergenerational programs involving adolescents and older adults provided benefits to both. Benefits for older adults included improved wellbeing, cognitive, and social engagement.Benefits for adolescents were identity formation and skill development. Shared outcomes for both generations were improved attitudes and stereotypes, reduced generational gap, and solidarity.High variability in program design, methodology, and sample size was evident across studies. However, it highlighted the suitability of IG engagement across differing contexts.Future recommendations included facilitator training, diverse samples, and longitudinal methodological designs.</p>