STRENGTHENING GENERATIONAL COHESION IN AN AGEING SOCIETY. EVIDENCE OF IMPACT FROM AN INTERGENERATIONAL MODEL INTERVENTION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29302/Pangeea25.14Keywords:
ageing, demographic challenges, intergenerational interventionsAbstract
The current demographic decline in Romania, with a fast change of the demographic structure characterised by a rapid aging of the population and increasing dependency ratios, among other structural societal changes, contribute to the fragmentation of intergenerational interactions which severely undermines the wellbeing of older adults and their relationships with younger generations. The article examines the benefits of a structured intergenerational intervention model through the evaluation of The Generations Centres Program (GCP), implemented by The Margareta of Romania Royal Foundation (MRRF) that provides support (funds, expertise) to local and regional organisations to implement various intergenerational activities within their services for vulnerable children and adolescence, in different social services settings, in majority licenced day care centres. The evaluation, grounded on a mixed-methods approach, including surveys (93 seniors, 38 organizational representatives), interviews and focus groups, as well as analysis of secondary data, provides robust evidence regarding the effectiveness of the intergenerational model in addressing the needs of vulnerable children and seniors. For seniors, volunteering fosters increased self-esteem (79% report higher life satisfaction), reduced social isolation (17% mention new social connections), and the rediscovery of personal purpose after retirement, outcomes consistent with international research on the protective effects of intergenerational engagement against loneliness and depression. For the beneficiary children, predominantly from disadvantaged families, the program contributes to improvements in both educational outcomes (academic performance, basic skills) and socio-emotional development (empathy, patience, social skills). The reciprocal nature of these benefits confirms the authenticity of the intergenerational exchange model. The evaluation demonstrates that strategically designed intergenerational activities offer effective, sustainable solutions to contemporary demographic challenges, generating measurable value for both age cohorts while fostering more inclusive and cohesive communities.
References
1. Cattan, M., Hogg, E., & Hardill, I. (2011). Improving quality of life in ageing populations: What can volunteering do? Maturitas, 70 (4), 328–332. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2011.08.010
2. Cosma, A., Molcho, M., & Pickett, W. (2024) A focus on adolescent peer violence and bullying in Europe, Central Asia and Canada. WHO Regional Office for Europe
3. Ghen a, M., Matei, A., & Bobârna (Crivoi) S. (2023). Participation in Volunteer and Lifelong Learning Activities among Older Persons in Romania. Research and Education, 8 , 61–76. https://doi.org/10.56177/red.8.2023.art.4
4. Jiang, D., Warner, L. M., Chong, A. M.-L., Li, T., Wolff, J. K., & Chou, K.-L. (2021). Benefits of volunteering on psychological well-being in older adulthood: Evidence from a randomised controlled trial. Ageing & Mental Health, 25 (4), 641–649. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2020.1711862
5. Kuehne, V. S. (Ed.). (2012). Intergenerational programmes: Understanding what we have created. Routledge.
6. Lee, K., Jarrott, S. E., & Juckett, L. A. (2020). Documented Outcomes for Older Adults in Intergenerational Programming: A Scoping Review: Research. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 18 (2), 113–138. https://doi.org/10.1080/15350770.2019.1673276
7. Lee, S. (2021). Social Exclusion and Subjective Well-being Among Older Adults in Europe: Findings From the European Social Survey. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 76 (2), 425–434. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbaa172
8. Lee, S. (2023). Loneliness, Volunteering, and Quality of Life in European Older Adults. Activities, Adaptation & Aging, 47 (2), 250–261. https://doi.org/10.1080/01924788.2022.2148408
9. Morrow-Howell, N., Hinterlong, J., Rozario, P. A., & Tang, F. (2003). Effects of Volunteering on the Well-Being of Older Adults. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 58 (3), S137–S145. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/58.3.S137
10. Newman, S. (1989). A History of Intergenerational Programmes. Journal of Children in Contemporary Society, 20 (3–4), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1300/J274v20n03_01
11. Newman, S., & Hatton-Yeo, A. (2008). Intergenerational Learning and the Contributions of Older People 8.
12. Peters, R., Ee, N., Ward, S. A., Kenning, G., Radford, K., Goldwater, M., Dodge, H. H., Lewis, E., Xu, Y., Kudrna, G., Hamilton, M., Peters, J., Anstey, K. J., Lautenschlager, N. T., Fitzgerald, A., & Rockwood, K. (2021). Intergenerational Programmes bringing together community dwelling non-familial older adults and children: A Systematic Review. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 94 , 104356. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.archger.2021.104356
13. Save the Children Romania. (2024). https://www.salvaticopiii.ro/sites/ro/files/2024-06/ancheta_cati-copii-consuma-droguri-si-tutun-date-002.pdf
14. Shi, P., & Feng, X. (2022). Motor skills and cognitive benefits in children and adolescents: Relationship, mechanism and perspectives. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 1017825.
15. University of Bucharest. (2024). Romanians' towards volunteering: Perspectives and challenges.
16. Wheeler, J. A., Gorey, K. M., & Greenblatt, B. (1998). The Beneficial Effects of Volunteering for Older Volunteers and the People They Serve: A Meta-Analysis. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 47 (1), 69–79. https://doi.org/10.2190/VUMP-XCMF-FQYU-V0JH
