Reminiscing and intergenerational advice giving during the COVID-19 pandemic

OBJECTIVES

Given that types of reminiscing consistently predict psychological well-being, the current study investigated how older adults' reminiscing related to their appraisal of the COVID-19 pandemic and to the advice letters they wrote for younger adults.

METHODS

The sample of 107 community-dwelling older adults (Mage = 74.55, SDage = 5.89) completed self-report questionnaires to report (a) level of life-disruption experienced due to the pandemic, (b) type and frequency of reminiscing during the pandemic, and (c) current positive and negative appraisals of the pandemic. Forty participants also produced essays providing advice to younger people about how to overcome a life challenge such as the pandemic.

RESULTS

Correlational analyses revealed that positive reminiscence functions positively correlated with both positive (mean r(105) = .42, p < .006) and negative pandemic appraisals (mean r(105) = .44, p < .006), whereas negative reminiscence functions correlated with negative pandemic appraisals (mean r(105) = .31, p < .006) but not with positive pandemic appraisals (mean r(105) = .15, p > .006). Individuals who reminisced more tended to produce advice that was more positively (r(38) =.36, p = .02) and negatively (r(38) = .34, p = .03) valanced; and those who reminisced more with the function of identity development also gave advice that focused on this issue (r(38) = .44, p = .004).

CONCLUSION

Overall, these results suggest that positive reminiscing is linked to older adults' capacity to view both positive and negative facets of challenging life situations.

Evaluating a youth-designed sexual and reproductive health mass and social media campaign in Côte d'Ivoire: triangulation of three independent evaluations

Merci Mon Héros (MMH) is a youth-designed multi-media campaign seeking to improve sexual and reproductive health and family planning (SRH/FP) outcomes among youth living in nine francophone countries. A mixed methods approach was implemented to assess the MMH campaign progress and impact in Côte d'Ivoire. Three data sources were triangulated to evaluate the campaign: social media listening (October 2019-January 2021); a quantitative cross-sectional monitoring survey (September 2020) with 412 youth (aged 16-24) and 597 adults (aged 25-49); and a qualitative study using a Most Significant Change approach (March 2021), including a total of 24 focus group discussions with youth (aged 15-24) and adults (aged 25+) exposed to the MMH campaign. Data from all three studies were analysed independently and then brought together through a triangulation workshop where the study team compared findings to achieve convergence in evaluation results. Social listening results showed topic-specific online conversations related to MMH campaign spiked significantly during the two-week period after topic-specific campaign posts (p < .05), suggesting potential campaign impact. Survey results showed both adults and youth were more likely to have spoken with someone about FP in the past five months if exposed to the campaign (p < 0.01). Qualitative findings support the campaign's effect on shifting attitudes and behavioural uptake of intergenerational communication among adults and youth. This evaluation shows evidence of MMH's strong potential for impact in encouraging communication and the need to focus efforts on strategies to strengthen supportive adults' communication competencies and redefine what it means to act in support of SRH/FP for youth.

"Older, Entitled, and Extremely Out-of-Touch": Does "OK, Boomer" Signify the Emergence of a New Older Adult Stereotype?

"OK, Boomer" is a phrase used to dismiss an older person for their perceived out-of-touch or offensive beliefs. The popularity of this retort suggests the presence of intergenerational tension; this study explores how the use of "OK, Boomer" relates to the current age stereotype literature. Results indicated that this literature base does not adequately capture how younger adults perceived the titular "Boomer," and therefore, we used interpretive phenomenological analysis to identify seven unique characteristics ascribed to "Boomers": closed-minded, argumentative, out-of-touch, offensive, critical, nostalgic, and/or conservative. Future work should monitor how derogatory age-based internet jargon influences ageism and intergenerational relations.

Bridging the age gap: intergenerational communication of HIV risk and prevention among younger and older men who have sex with men

ABSTRACTTrends in HIV incidence and prevalence vary between younger MSM (YMSM) and older MSM (OMSM). HIV prevention was revolutionized with the advent of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), but uptake of PrEP among OMSM is relatively unknown. Community connectedness among MSM is a strong driver of prevention. This qualitative study sought to explore similarities and differences between YMSM and OMSM's knowledge, perceptions, and barriers of HIV prevention and understand how intergenerational communication may enhance engagement in prevention, especially PrEP. Twenty semi-structured, in-depth interviews (ten YMSM and ten OMSM) were conducted with HIV-negative, non-monogamous MSM aged 18-24 and 55+ years. Interviews were transcribed and coded using NVivo 12 to identify themes within each age group and compare between age groups. YMSM expressed greater knowledge and more positive perceptions of PrEP than OMSM. OMSM felt that PrEP use increased engagement in sexual risk behavior. Both groups emphasized a need for more conversations between different age groups of MSM to educate each other about forms of prevention and reduce stigma. Intergenerational communication among MSM about HIV risk and prevention strategies may be an effective way to address the generational gaps in knowledge and perceptions and enhance engagement in HIV prevention.

Review and Implications of Intergenerational Communication and Social Support in Chronic Disease Care and Participation in Health Research of Low-Income, Minority Older Adults in the United States

Background: Health disparities disproportionally affect Black and Hispanic older US adults. Health research is needed to understand and eliminate these disparities; however, older adults, and particularly Black and Hispanic/Latino older adults are underrepresented in health research. Adult children have influenced health behavior and health outcomes of their older parents in several demographics in the US. Analysis of these studies can lead to a model for the development of interventions aimed at improving health and healthcare participation of older Black and Hispanic US adults. Objectives: To review the role of intergenerational communication and social support in health behavior, health research, and health outcomes for older adults and to apply these findings toward a model for health interventions for Black and Hispanic US older adults. Methods: An analytical narrative review and application toward an intervention model. Results: Key topic areas were reviewed and analyzed by examining studies that applied forms of intergenerational communication and/or intergenerational social support with the goal of either improving health, disease management and/or participation in health research in populations world-wide. Next, a model for providing health interventions in older Black and Hispanic US adults was developed using strategies gleaned from the findings. Conclusion: A model for health intervention for Black and Hispanic/Latino US older adults was presented based on an analytical review and intergenerational communication and/or social support. Qualitative data are necessary to understand the enablers and barriers of intergenerational communication and social support to improve health outcomes in these populations.

"Race was something we didn't talk about": Racial Socialization in Asian American Families

OBJECTIVE

Our goal was to explore racial socialization practices in Asian American families during a time of heightened racial tension.

BACKGROUND

Asian Americans hold a complex racial position in the United States, made even more complicated by an increase in public protests regarding socioracial injustices in the United States experienced by racial minority groups. Discussions about race and ethnicity occur within Asian American families but often focus on cultural heritage rather than awareness of discrimination and the historical roots of racism.

METHOD

Our study used an inductive-deductive thematic analysis to collect data from 12 Asian American young adults. Semistructured interviews queried participants' experiences with racial socialization in their nuclear families and their own racial identity.

FINDINGS

Qualitative analysis revealed the following themes: (a) Participants received limited messages regarding racial issues, (b) participants engaged in "bottom-up" racial socialization and taught their parents about race, and (c) participants felt left out of society's racial dialogue.

CONCLUSION

During this time of heightened racial tension, Asian American young adults struggle to find their place, despite wanting to participate in community building.

IMPLICATIONS

Without strong Asian American racial socialization practices in families, young adults must educate themselves and initiate racial meaning-making in their families.

Conversation Breeds Compliance: The Role of Intergenerational Communication in Promoting Preventive Behaviors against COVID-19 among Middle-Aged Parents in China

This study aims to explore and compare the influences of two crucial information channels used by middle-aged parents-media and their adult children-on their health knowledge, emotions and preventive behaviors against COVID-19, based on media exposure and the family communication patterns (FCP) theory. Parents of college students in Guangzhou, China were invited to participate in an online survey between February 10 and 24, 2020. A total of 193 respondents, aged between 40 and 65 years, completed the study questionnaire. Media exposure was a positive predictor of negative emotions, intergenerational discussions, and preventive behaviors among Chinese middle-aged parents. Conversation orientation was a positive predictor of scientific discussions and preventive behaviors, whereas conformity orientation was a negative predictor of knowledge, but a positive predictor of intergenerational discussions and negative emotions. Intergenerational discussions mediated the relationships between media exposure and preventive behaviors, as well as between FCP and preventive behaviors. Health communication efforts require the help of adult children as intergenerational communication serves as an important amplifier in terms of influencing the health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of middle-aged and elderly populations.

Interlocutors' Age Impacts Teenagers' Online Writing Style: Accommodation in Intra- and Intergenerational Online Conversations

The present study examines how teenagers adapt their language use to that of their conversation partner (i.e., the linguistic phenomenon of accommodation) in interactions with peers (intragenerational communication) and with older interlocutors (intergenerational communication). We analyze a large corpus of Flemish teenagers’ conversations on Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp, which appear to be highly peer-oriented. With Poisson models, we examine whether the teenage participants adjust their writing style to older interlocutors. The same trend emerges for three sets of prototypical markers of the informal online genre: teenagers insert significantly fewer of these markers when interacting with older interlocutors, thus matching their interlocutors’ style and increasing linguistic similarity. Finally, the analyses reveal subtle differences in accommodation patterns for the distinct linguistic variables with respect to the impact of the teenagers’ sociodemographic profiles and their interlocutors’ age.

Addressing ageism using intergenerational performing arts interventions

Performing arts interventions may be one method to lessen age stereotypes among both the young and old. The present study examines how, and if, intergenerational performing arts interventions addressing age increases knowledge on ageism and counters ageist stereotypes. Two programs were assessed, one with a discussion component and the other without. Participants included 72 individuals aged 20-89. T-tests and repeated measures ANOVAs were used. Those under 50 experienced a significant increase in viewing ageism as a problem and those under 50 who participated in the discussion program experienced an increase in the belief that they could change perceptions about ageism between the pre- and posttests. Positive age stereotypes increased and negative age stereotypes decreased, regardless of program type and age. The present study has implications for how intergenerational performing arts interventions addressing age, created in conjunction with community organizations and via performing arts, may empower individuals to increase knowledge, and change their own perceptions about aging.

#EveryGenerationMatters: Intergenerational Perceptions of Infant Feeding Information and Communication Among African American Women

Objective: African American (AA) women look to their mother and maternal grandmother for parenting information and support; this intergenerational communication may reinforce or hinder breastfeeding practices. Rooted in Black Feminist Thought, this study's objective was to use an asset-based approach to explore infant feeding information shared across at least two generations of AA female family members. Materials and Methods: Fifteen family triads/dyads (N = 35 women), residing in Southeastern United States, participated in semistructured interviews in 2019. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Infant feeding information shared across generations was characterized into six themes: Guidance, Practical assistance, Reservations, Affirmations, Observational learning, and Perceived undermining. Typically, conversations occurred in one of four reproductive life stages (preconception, prenatal, birth, and post-birth) of the youngest adult generation and may have been influenced by each family's feeding history ("One generation breastfed," "Two generations breastfed," and "Three generations breastfed"). Notably, with each additional generation of breastfeeding experience, perceived undermining and reservation reporting decreased. In addition, families reclaimed and reconnected with ancestral breastfeeding practices. Conclusions: Findings suggest that every generation matters to breastfeeding behaviors in AA families. Therefore, nuanced, family-centered approaches should build on assets within AA families to support them in meeting their feeding goals. Practitioners should recognize the importance of oral tradition as a mode of transmitting infant feeding information among AAs and understand the influence of family feeding history in intergenerational infant feeding communication. When working with AAs, practitioners must be flexible, respectful, supportive, and actively learning about an individual's beliefs and culture, creating space to reframe, without judgment or paternalism.

Intergenerational Effects on the Impacts of Technology Use in Later Life: Insights from an International, Multi-Site Study

As the use of technology becomes further integrated into the daily lives of all persons, including older adults, it is important to investigate how the perceptions and use of technology intersect with intergenerational relationships. Based on the international multi-centered study Technology In Later Life (TILL), this paper emphasizes the perceptions of older adults and the interconnection between technology and intergenerational relationships are integral to social connectedness with others. Participants from rural and urban sites in Canada and the UK (n = 37) completed an online survey and attended a focus group. Descriptive and thematic analyses suggest that older adults are not technologically adverse and leverage intergenerational relationships with family and friends to adjust to new technologies and to remain connected to adult children and grandchildren, especially when there is high geographic separation between them. Participants referenced younger family members as having introduced them to, and having taught them how to use, technologies such as digital devices, computers, and social networking sites. The intergenerational support in the adoption of new technologies has important implications for helping older persons to remain independent and to age in place, in both age-friendly cities and in rural communities. The findings contribute to the growing literature in the fields of gerontology and gerontechnology on intergenerational influences and the impacts of technology use in later life and suggest the flexibility and willingness of older persons to adopt to new technologies as well as the value of intergenerational relationships for overcoming barriers to technology adoption.

Activating Communal Coping Related to Diabetes Risk in Mexican-Heritage Families

We investigate how interpersonal ties influence communication about type 2 diabetes risk and encouragement to maintain or adopt a healthy lifestyle between family members of Mexican heritage, after a family history-based risk assessment intervention. Results suggest that individuals are more likely to initiate risk communication with another family member if they are close to, already seek advice from, or discuss health with him or her. Risk communication precedes encouragement, which is initiated by the older generation of the family. Understanding the role of interpersonal relationships in Mexican-heritage families can help identify who best to target in future health behavior interventions.

Taking HIV Testing to Families: Designing a Family-Based Intervention to Facilitate HIV Testing, Disclosure, and Intergenerational Communication

INTRODUCTION

Facility-based HIV testing does not capture many adults and children who are at risk of HIV in South Africa. This underscores the need to provide targeted, age-appropriate HIV testing for children, adolescents, and adults who are not accessing health facilities. While home-based counseling and testing has been successfully delivered in multiple settings, it also often fails to engage adolescents. To date, the full potential for testing entire families and linking them to treatment has not been evaluated.

METHODS

The steps to expand a successful home-based counseling and testing model to a family-based counseling and testing approach in a high HIV prevalence context in rural South Africa are described. The primary aim of this family-based model is to increase uptake of HIV testing and linkage to care for all family members, through promoting family cohesion and intergenerational communication, increasing HIV disclosure in the family, and improving antiretroviral treatment uptake, adherence, and retention. We discuss the three-phased research approach that led to the development of the family-based counseling and testing intervention.

RESULTS

The family-based intervention is designed with a maximum of five sessions, depending on the configuration of the family (young, mixed, and older families). There is an optional additional session for high-risk or vulnerable family situations. These sessions encourage HIV testing of adults, children, and adolescents and disclosure of HIV status. Families with adolescents receive an intensive training session on intergenerational communication, identified as the key causal pathway to improve testing, linkage to care, disclosure, and reduced stigma for this group. The rationale for the focus on intergenerational communication is described in relation to our formative work as well as previous literature, and potential challenges with pilot testing the intervention are explored.

CONCLUSION

This paper maps the process for adapting a novel and largely successful home-based counseling and testing intervention for use with families. Expanding the successful home-based counseling and testing model to capture children, adolescents, and men could have significant impact, if the pilot is successful and scaled-up.

Deciding to institutionalize: caregiving crisis, intergenerational communication, and uncertainty management for elders and their children in Shanghai

This phenomenological study integrated crisis theory, social identity theory, and uncertainty management theory to conceptualize the decision-making process around institutionalization among nursing home residents and their children in Shanghai. I conducted face-to-face, semistructured interviews with 12 dyads of matched elders and their children (N = 24). The findings suggest that caregiving crises triggered intergenerational communication about caregiving alternatives and new arrangements, although each generation had different stances and motivations. Children finalized the decision by helping their parents to manage the uncertainties pertaining to institutionalization. This study sheds light on caregiving decision-making dynamics for the increasing aging population across cultures.

An intergenerational approach to prostate cancer education: findings from a pilot project in the southeastern USA

African Americans (AA) are more likely to develop and die from cancer than any other racial or ethnic group. This study assessed older and younger/middle-aged African-American (AA) men's (1) knowledge and attitudes about prostate cancer (PrCA) and PrCA screening, (2) participation in clinical research, and (3) health and cancer-related decision making. Twenty-eight AA men (14 older, mean age 59.8; 14 younger/middle age, mean age 30.4) received a PrCA education program and completed pre/post-education program surveys, as well as qualitative post-education interviews. Younger/middle-aged men were more knowledgeable about PrCA and PrCA screening than older men. Older men reported being invited to participate in a clinical trial more often than younger men but were more likely to report that participation in clinical trials was risky and they did not plan to participate in medical research in the future. Younger/middle-aged men were more willing to participate in a clinical trial in the future and reported fewer barriers to participation in clinical research. There is potential for using intergenerational communication strategies with older/younger AA male dyads in PrCA interventions.

Millennials in the Workplace: A Communication Perspective on Millennials' Organizational Relationships and Performance

Stereotypes about Millennials, born between 1979 and 1994, depict them as self-centered, unmotivated, disrespectful, and disloyal, contributing to widespread concern about how communication with Millennials will affect organizations and how they will develop relationships with other organizational members. We review these purported characteristics, as well as Millennials' more positive qualities-they work well in teams, are motivated to have an impact on their organizations, favor open and frequent communication with their supervisors, and are at ease with communication technologies. We discuss Millennials' communicated values and expectations and their potential effect on coworkers, as well as how workplace interaction may change Millennials.