Virtual Intergenerational Reverse-Mentoring Program Reduces Loneliness among Older Adults: Results from a Pilot Evaluation

Abstract

Social isolation and loneliness can create negative health outcomes for older adults. Informed by social capital and intergroup contact theories, our goal was to reduce these social problems using an intergenerational reverse-mentoring program. During fall 2020, we implemented an adapted, fully online version of Cyber-Seniors that encouraged undergraduate students to provide technology mentoring to local older adults in a seven-county area in rural Appalachia. We recruited gerontology students through the university and local older adults through local aging organizations. We collected data through pre-and post-tests that included validated measures (Lubben Social Network Scale-6 and UCLA 3-item loneliness scale) and open-ended questions about the program. Thirty-one students and nine older adults completed the pre-survey; twenty students and eight older adults completed the post-survey. We made comparisons using t-tests and considered p < 0.20 to indicate meaningful differences given the anticipated small sample size in this pilot project. Isolation did not change among older adults but increased among students in the family domain (p = 0.14) between baseline and follow-up. Loneliness improved between the pre- and post-tests among older adults (mean: 5.6 (SD = 2.2) to 4.1 (SD = 1.3), p = 0.17) but not among students (mean: 5.0 (SD = 1.5) to 5.2 (SD = 1.7), p = 0.73). In open-ended responses, older adults described learning new ways to interact with friends and family as a result of the program. This program was acceptable and suggested effectiveness in an important health-related domain (loneliness). While larger studies are needed to fully test the program’s impact, this pilot evaluation suggests that reverse mentoring programs can be implemented virtually and may improve social outcomes.

Intergroup Contact Alleviates Loneliness: The Extensive Effect of Common Ingroup Identity

“…25,27 Research evidences of different paradigms showed that intergroup contact may positively relieve loneliness, as both longitudinal and horizontal studies have proved the positive effects of intergroup contact on individual problem-solving, cognitive flexibility, creativity, well-being and mental health in multiple groups, including cross-hukou-regional, ethnic, gender and country. 26,[28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] Specifically, an intergenerational technology program brings disparate age groups together to interact in meaningful activities, resulting in effectively reducing loneliness for older adults. 29 Our hypothesis thus is that intergroup contact may alleviate loneliness.…”

“…26,[28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36] Specifically, an intergenerational technology program brings disparate age groups together to interact in meaningful activities, resulting in effectively reducing loneliness for older adults. 29 Our hypothesis thus is that intergroup contact may alleviate loneliness.…”

Improving Technology Use, Digital Competence, and Access to Community Resources Among Older Participants in the University of Rhode Island Engaging Generations Cyber‐Seniors digiAGE Pilot Study

“…Intergenerational programs can help to bridge that gap by having the younger generation mentor older adults on how to use technology in a way that is accessible to them (Brown & Strommen, 2018). By nature of intergenerational programs, connectivity is increased, depression, cognitive decline, and anxiety about aging decrease, and overall participants from both generations gain a sense of belonging when going through the programs (Dorfman et al, 2003; Juris et al, 2022).…”

“…Intergenerational programs have shown to be beneficial for all involved. For older adults, intergenerational programs can help to combat loneliness, depression, dementia, and overall cognitive decline (e.g., Juris et al, 2022; Martins et al, 2019). Younger adults often gain a sense of autonomy and agency when participating in intergenerational programs with reverse mentoring models because the typical mentorship roles are reversed (Gamliel, 2017; Juris et al, 2022).…”

“…For older adults, intergenerational programs can help to combat loneliness, depression, dementia, and overall cognitive decline (e.g., Juris et al, 2022; Martins et al, 2019). Younger adults often gain a sense of autonomy and agency when participating in intergenerational programs with reverse mentoring models because the typical mentorship roles are reversed (Gamliel, 2017; Juris et al, 2022). For both generations, intergenerational work can help reduce the stigmatization of the other generation (Brown & Strommen, 2018).…”