Elderly perceptions of communication with older and younger adults in China: Implications for mental health

Cai, Deborah A.; Giles, Howard; Noels, Kimberly A.

doi:10.1080/00909889809365490

Cited by 46 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Avoidance is a broad concept that includes not only staying away from an interaction, but also finding ways to exit conversation or avoiding saying what one wants to say (Cai, Giles, & Noels, 1998). Ryan et al (1992) conducted a study where young adults would engage in or avoid an interaction with an older adult based on impressions of physical ability.…”

Section: Communicative Behaviorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Young Adults’ Perceptions of Intergenerational Communication: Mongolian and American Data

Choi

Giles

Hajek

2012

A&A

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This study examines Mongolian and American young adults’ perceptions of intergenerational communication, specifically with respect to age stereotypes, norms of respect, communication behavior, and communication satisfaction. Using the Communication Predicament of Aging Model as a theoretical framework, the relationships between these variables are investigated using regression analyses. Young adults from both cultural contexts were asked to evaluate prior interactions with both middle-aged and older adults. The findings indicate a difference between how each generation is perceived, and the unique role of the middle-aged generation in Mongolia is evident.

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Section: Communicative Behaviorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Young Adults’ Perceptions of Intergenerational Communication: Mongolian and American Data

Choi

Giles

Hajek

2012

A&A

Self Cite

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“…The perceptual differences between older and younger adults (e.g., equality versus superiority, intrusive love versus caring) might explain why younger people in the East report less satisfaction with intergenerational communication than do young people in the West Cai et al, 1998;Giles et al, 1998;Williams et al, 1997). This study suggests that this dissatisfaction might be due to the increasing awareness of the Western ideologies of equality, democracy, and freedom of speech (see also Ng et al, 1997;Williams et al, 1997) in combination with the continued societal commitment to Xiao (filial piety).…”

Section: Tensions In Chinese Intergenerational Communication: Incongrmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As communication and aging research has become more popular due to the demographic increase in the older population and humanistic concerns for the psychological well-being of these individuals, studies on intergenerational communication have increased (Cai, Giles, & Noels, 1998; Giles, Harwood, Pierson, Clément, & Fox, 1998;Giles, Liang, Noels, & McCann, 1999;Noels, Giles, Gallois, & Ng, 1999). The Communicative Predicament of Aging (CPA) model (Ryan, Giles, Bartolucci, & Henwood, 1986) has provided the theoretical framework for much of the intergenerational communication research.…”

Section: Usamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Using multiple methods, Ng and his associates (1997,1999) Recently, several other attempts have been made in the area of cross-cultural communication and aging research to study age stereotypes and intergenerational communication in Pacific Rim cultures (see Cai, Giles, & Noels, 1998;Giles et al, 1998;Giles et al, 1999; Williams et al, 1997). Using scales derived from previous studies on stereotypes, aging, and intergroup processes (i.e., Levin, 1988;Sanders & Pittman, 1988), Giles et al (1998) found that stereotypes towards older adults were more positive in California than in Hong Kong.…”

Section: Usamentioning

confidence: 99%

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Harmonies and tensions in Chinese intergenerational communication

Zhang¹,

Hummert²

2001

JAPC

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Abstract:This study examined interview accounts of intergenerational communication from twenty younger adults (M age = 24.05; Age range: 19 to 33) and thirteen older adults (M age = 67.10; Age range: 62 to 72) in the People's Republic of China (PRC). The interviews were tape-recorded and transcribed into Chinese. Meaningful descriptions of intergenerational communication were then translated to English.Using an emergent theme analysis approach, we identified themes that fell into three broad areas: 1) positive intergenerational communication behaviors, 2) negative intergenerational behaviors, and 3) ideal intergenerational communication. The analysis also revealed that some themes of the two age groups were congruent (e.g., the mutual endorsement of filial piety), while others were incongruent with each other (e.g., disagreement on perceptions on equality and superiority). Themes are compared to descriptions of intergenerational communication found in research within Western cultures. Themes are also discussed in relation to cross-cultural intergenerational research, the Communication Predicament of Aging model, and the changing Chinese economic and political system. Text of paper:Harmonies Lawrence, KS 66045-2177 USAAs communication and aging research has become more popular due to the demographic increase in the older population and humanistic concerns for the psychological well-being of these individuals, studies on intergenerational communication have increased (Cai, Giles, & Noels, 1998; Giles, Harwood, Pierson, Clément, & Fox, 1998;Giles, Liang, Noels, & McCann, 1999;Noels, Giles, Gallois, & Ng, 1999). The Communicative Predicament of Aging (CPA) model (Ryan, Giles, Bartolucci, & Henwood, 1986) has provided the theoretical framework for much of the intergenerational communication research. This model, grounded in Communication Accommodation Theory , outlines how the recognition of age cues by a younger communicator may prompt negative age stereotypes of incompetence and dependence. These stereotypes, in turn, suggest the need for speech accommodations on the part of the younger communicator (e.g., slow speech, loud speech, and simplified vocabulary) to help the older person to process the talk. Unfortunately, according to the CPA model, this over-accommodation to negative age stereotypes may create a negative feedback cycle for older individuals, leading to loss of self-esteem, emotional decline, and reinforcement of age stereotypical behaviors.Research has not only supported the basic tenets of the CPA model (see Harwood, Giles, & Ryan, 1995;Ryan, Hummert, & Boich, 1995), but has extended the model to encompass the operation of positive as well as negative age stereotypes (Hummert, 1994;Hummert, Garstka, Shaner, & Henry, 1998), and potentially harmful and unsatisfactory old-to-young and young-to-old communication . Harmonies and tensions in Chinese intergenerational communication: Younger and older adults' accounts. Journal of Asian Pacific Communication, 11, http://dx.doi.org/10.1075/japc.11.2.06zha, O...

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“…For grandchildren, the relationship can also be a place in which confidences are shared and family histories are learned, in an environment perceived as more "free" than in conversations with parents (Harwood,McKee,& Lin,20{){); Nussbaum & Bettini, 1994). For grandparents, research suggests that the rela tionship may influence their levels of psychological well-being (Cai, Giles, & Noels, 1998) and even "keep them young" . examined relational themes in grandparents' descriptions of interactions with their grandchildren.…”

Section: Itie Grandparent-grandchild Relationshipmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relational, role, and social identity as expressed in grandparents’ personal web sites

Harwood

2004

Communication Studies

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JTtis paper reports on an investigation of personal web sites aeated by grandparents. The paper examines the sites and uncovers important themes relating to the grandparent-grandchild relationship, the grandparenting role, and age identity. References to age are relatively rare, occurring largely in sites created by younger grandparents, and sites concerned wim social activism. A number of ways in which being a grandparent is represented as a meaningful social identity are described. Conclusions are drawn in terms of" theoretical links between relational, role, and social identities and issues of importance to the relationshi between grandparents and grandchildren. Il is argued that a social identity theory perspective provides interesting insight on the examination of communication about family relationships.KEY WORDS: Grandparent, Grandchild, Interrut, Family, Communication.A s we seek to understand the nature of human relationships, it is important to examine communication within and about those relationships in a variety of contexts. Such examinations can enhance our understanding of the relationships themselves, and can increase our knowledge of the relational partners-how they understand the relationship etnd how it relates to other aspects of their lives. The current study examines one way in which grandparents communicate about their relationships with their gremdchildren-grandparents' personal websites. The research aims to enhance our understanding of the grandparent-grandchild (GP-GC) relationship and the ways in which communication about this relationship relates to a grandparent's more general conception of his/her own self.Increasingly, scholars are recognizing the ways in which identity is contextually determined or constructed through discourse. Research has described the ways in which age identities are expressed and constructed in intergenerational conversations (e.g., N. Coupland, Coupland, & Giles, 1989) and the ways in which age identities are manipulated in medicd encounters (J. Couplsmd, Robinson, & Coupland, 1994). Similarly, Hecht and colleagues' model of cultural identity recognizes its essentially malleable nature (Hecht, 1993) and hence the importance of examining discursive constructions of identity. Such work intersects with research adopting a discourse analytic perspective on social psychology (e.g., Billig, 1996; Potter & Wetherell, 1987). From this perspective, understanding the ways in which identity functions requires understanding how it is represented in everyday discourse. Hence, examining themes of identity in discourse is essential to our understanding of people's self-concepts and relationships.The current research focuses particulcu-ly on on-line communication. The growth of the Internet as a communication medium is well recognized and its relevance as a site for self-expression is growing. It is used for multiple forms of self-presentation such as artistic expression, autobiographical narrative, self-disclosure on illness, and posting curriculum vitae. Increasingly, th...

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Elderly perceptions of communication with older and younger adults in China: Implications for mental health

Cited by 46 publications

References 35 publications

Young Adults’ Perceptions of Intergenerational Communication: Mongolian and American Data

Young Adults’ Perceptions of Intergenerational Communication: Mongolian and American Data

Harmonies and tensions in Chinese intergenerational communication

Relational, role, and social identity as expressed in grandparents’ personal web sites

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