Intergenerational Mental Health, Subtopic: Elderly Mental Health
Despite the saying that “age is just a number,” the negative outlook on aging still prevails as a conventional idea in society. Stereotypes of growing old include being grouchy and having deteriorating health and mobility issues that result in being unproductive members of society. Aging is a topic that most do not like to think about. However, an increasing elderly population has led to a growing concern for geriatric care that must be addressed (Murayama et al. 306). Mental health plays a large role in this subject. One reality of aging is change and loss, which can affect the mental health of those left behind. As a society, we must further examine these stereotypes about aging, as many studies reveal a different way to think about this phenomenon. Understanding the mental health trends of the elderly population will improve social policy and programming being developed to serve an aging society.
The first article is by psychologist Becca Levy, whose longitudinal study seeks to unveil the underlying cause of negative self-perceptions related to aging. Levy hypothesizes that “rigidity would predict negative aging stereotypes in older individuals” (Levy 560). Defined by Frenkel-Brunswik, rigidity is an “intolerance to ambiguity,” or an unwillingness to change one’s mindset (Levy 560). In this study, rigidity pertains to the stereotypes applied to oneself about aging. Levy’s results suggest that “older individuals with more rigidity had significantly more negative aging stereotypes and negative aging self-perceptions over time” (Levy 559). Essentially, an individual’s perception of aging reveals a self-fulfilling prophecy for their own aging. On one hand, “findings suggest that having more flexibility can benefit older individuals’ self views” (Levy 559). On the other, past studies have shown that negative aging self-perceptions predict lesser functional health in individuals (Levy 561). One reason for this effect may be because “younger people assimilate negative aging stereotypes to the same extent to which they will hold these stereotypes in old age” (Levy 560). People tend to increase rigidity as they age. Therefore, I speculate that those who learn negative aging stereotypes in their formative years will continue this mindset into their adult life.
Psychologists Tomás et al. build upon Levy’s idea that negative self-perceptions related to aging can increase over time, as well as lead to deterioration of health. The second study attempts to “formulate an association between loneliness and satisfaction with life and loneliness and depression” in Spanish people (Tomás et al. 1225). Loneliness is “recognized as an important and serious health problem” (Tomás et al. 1226). Tomás et al. addressed that loneliness is one of the negative stereotypes of aging (Tomás et al. 1226). In reality, loneliness is dependent on social factors, such as being widowed or having a small social network, death of parents, and poor health, which happen to be common situations of elderly people (Tomás et al. 1226). Aging stereotypes do not address the “resilience of older adults and their ability to adapt themselves to this new social reality” (Tomás et al. 1226). This point relates to Levy’s study, which showed that adults who have a flexible outlook on aging have a more positive outlook at older ages (Levy). Study results deepened the association between depression and wellbeing in relation to loneliness and social support. There was a negative association between loneliness and satisfaction with life, and a positive association between loneliness and depression (Tomás et al. 1231). Overall, the study suggested that the populations most vulnerable to experiencing loneliness are women, non-married people, older adults who live alone, those who do not participate in social activities and ones with poor health (Tomás et al. 1231). Which leads me to wonder, what do these results suggest about the populations of people that communities most need to reach out to?
The third article by Murayama et al. aims to “clarify the effect of intergenerational program[ming] on elderly [peoples’] symptoms of depressive mood and in improving their sense of coherence (SOC), which is an element for successful coping with stressors” (Murayama et al. 306). Intergenerational programming (IGP) is “a form of human service that involves ongoing and organized interaction between members of younger and older age groups for the benefit of all participants” (Murayama et al. 306). Past studies have shown that IGP increases SOC and decreases depressive mood. Murayama, et. al. examined this impact on elderly people who read picture books to children at school through an IGP called REPRINTS (306). Researchers concluded that IGPs may be key to improving health among elderly people (Murayama et al. 306). This article is in conversation with Tomás et al., as IGP may be a solution to loneliness in vulnerable populations. The reason for this connection is because IGPs showed to decrease the risk of social isolation and loneliness due to the greater sense of meaningfulness (Murayama et al. 306). An important factor of this study was that the REPRINTS IGP was consistent and long-term, which Murayama et al. say is essential for IGP success (312). A large roadblock in the growth of IGP is that it is difficult to establish and maintain because of people’s busy schedules and many commitments.
While each article focuses on a unique aspect of elderly mental health, all three come to a consensus. There is a need to expand upon existing community support for the aging and elderly population. Levy prescribes a need for some sort of intervention that reduces negative aging self-perception (567). Tomás et al. suggest that Social intervention programs be developed to promote social support and positive relationships (1231-1232). The study by Murayama et al. showed that IGP can strengthen elderly people’s ties with the rest of the community, making it a better place (312). Our Intergenerational Mental Health project will work toward applying the concepts outlined in these articles. In an effort to encourage our audience to seek out and incorporate IGP into their lives, we seek to compile information on IGPs and gather narratives from college-aged students who have experience with IGP. Levy suggests that intervention should target younger individuals to change the prevailing negative stereotypes about aging, as “old age is not the source of the negative aging stereotypes,” but rather, rigidity and stereotypes being presented to people at a younger age (Levy 568). Research has shown that IGP changes both generations’ perspectives on one another. While difficult to quantitatively measure, we argue that this type of social interaction will benefit both participating parties. All in all, collaboration is essential for a successful IGP, so we hope to encourage the development of community across generations by working together.
Word Count: 1090
Works Cited
Metaphorical Conference Ballroom
Secondary Source Reports
I. Levy, Becca R. “Rigidity as a Predictor of Older Person’s Aging Stereotypes and Aging Self Perceptions.” Social Behavior and Personality, vol. 36, no. 4, 2008, pp. 559–70. ProQuest, doi:DOI:10.2224/sbp.2008.36.4.559.
II a). “Rigidity would predict negative aging stereotypes in older individuals” (Levy 560).
b). Older adults who hold unchanging, negative ideas about aging will also present these same stereotypes in their own lives.
III. Levy builds upon the theory of rigidity and the self-fulfilling prophecy idea. She frames her idea on the stigmatization of individuals, and how the stigmatized individuals themselves may take up these negative stereotypes, which, in doing so, allows for proliferation. Most of her background evidence is listed in the introduction, which provides a background on her past, related studies as a psychologist and social gerontologist. Levy performs a longitudinal study by interviewing 50+-year-old individuals over the course of 20 years, in 6 intervals. She found that her hypothesis was correct. She predicts that these older adults did not start believing these stereotypes as they aged, but rather, learned them when they were younger. Therefore, she thinks that younger individuals should be targeted in trying to change the negative stereotypes that we, as a larger society, tend to learn about aging.
IV. 1. Framing in a story: The introduction setup is easy to follow. Focusing on telling a story for the project, maybe even through the use of digital tools such as Storymap, will aid accessibility.
2. Levy explains the two main “premises” of her argument. This wording stood out to me, as I thought it made her study sound very logical and well thought out. Maybe explaining our premises in making arguments in our project will do the same for us.
3. In the discussion section, Levy makes conclusions and predictions. In doing so, she refers back to prior research that is now applicable to her study results. I thought this was insightful.
I. Murayama, Yoh, et al. “The Effect of Intergenerational Programs on the Mental Health of Elderly Adults.” Aging and Mental Health, vol. 19, no. 4, July 2014, pp. 306–14. EBSCOhost, doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2014.933309.
II a). “Clarify the effect of intergenerational program[ming] on elderly [peoples’] symptoms of depressive mood and in improving their sense of coherence (SOC), which is an element for successful coping with stressors” (Murayama et al. 306).
b). It has already been established that there is a connection between intergenerational programming (IGP) and benefits for elderly people. In this study, Murayama et al. seeks to provide further evidence between this relationship, specifically in terms of the effect on depressive mood and sense of coherence.
III. Murayama et al. begins by discussing the rapidly increasing elderly population in Japan, which is where this study takes place. Next, it defines IGP, which is necessary to understand the general idea and reasoning for why it is done. Murayama et al. also includes some background info on the known benefits for IGP, which shows why they want to make more concrete connections. After describing the study population, Murayama et al. outline the results in figure and table form. It is helpful to go to these diagrams in order to quickly understand the gist of the paper, that IGPs showed to decrease the risk of social isolation and loneliness due to the greater sense of meaningfulness. In the end, the researchers include discussion on the specific factors that make the REPRINTS IGP successful, which can help readers understand some key elements in a successful IGP. They state this is necessary to know, as IGP development has been slow despite its benefits due to challenges in planning.
IV. 1. Use of “IGP” to abbreviate intergenerational programming, helpful to cut down on bulky-ness of repeated use of the same phrase.
2. Most paper abstracts summarize the paper in one block paragraph. This one laid it out nicely by summarizing each section of the paper separately, making it easier to grasp the main ideas of the study.
3. Collaboration: Murayama et al. emphasize that collaboration between many groups is important and necessary for a successful IGP. We want to use this concept of collaboration as well, framing its importance in our project.
I. Tomás, Jose M., et al. “Loneliness and Social Support: Differential Predictive Power on Depression and Satisfaction in Senior Citizens.” Wiley: Journal of Community Psychology, vol. 47, no. 5, Apr. 2019, pp. 1225–34. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1002/jcop.22184.
II a). “Formulate an association between loneliness and satisfaction with life and loneliness and depression” (Tomás et al. 1225).
b). Tomás et al. seek to find a quantitative and/or qualitative association between loneliness in comparison to satisfaction with life and depression.
III. Tomás et al. frame their study with the topic of loneliness among older people as being an issue in terms of mental health. This topic is important, as it can help inform healthcare and social policies. They also discussed the causes of loneliness and age groups most affected by this feeling, which was 80+-year-olds. Past studies showed that older adults are resilient to change. The researchers utilized three different questionnaires that determine loneliness in individuals. The results deepened the association between depression and wellbeing in relation to loneliness and social support. The study concluded that certain populations are vulnerable to loneliness.
IV. 1. Elderly vs. older adult terminology: “Older adult” is more appropriate to use when talking about people of 50+ years old. This group does not count as “elderly,” but significantly older compared to college-age adults. “Elderly” can be used to describe people 80+ years old.
2. Social support was a key term in this paper, which I think also relates to our project and would be good to include.
3. Tomás et al. incorporate a separate section to discuss the implications of their findings, which allows for critical thinking of the results and their implications.
PLEDGED: CME
