The Effect of the Intergenerational Exchange Program for Older Adults and Young Children in the Community Using the Traditional Play

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aimed to explore the effects of a community-based first and third Intergenerational Exchange Program (IGEP) on older adults' health-related quality of life (HRQoL), loneliness, depression, and walking speed, and on 4~5-year-old preschool children's learning-related social skills. METHODS: This study employed a non-equivalent control group pre-post-test design. The experimental group included 42 older adults and 42 children who participated in the IGEP for 8 weeks, and the control group included 39 older adults. The experimental group participated in the IGEP once a week for 8 weeks. It comprised a traditional play program based on the intergroup contact theory. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, there was a significant increase in scores on the HRQoL-Visual analogue scale (VAS) and a decrease in loneliness and depression in older adults in the experimental group (p < .05). Children who participated in the IGEP showed an improvement in their learning-related social skills (p < .001). CONCLUSION: These results confirm that the IGEP is an effective intervention to improve HRQoL-VAS, loneliness, and depression among older adults and learning-related social skills among preschool children in the community.