ABSTRACT

Background: Ageism is recognized as a concern in the context of a rapidly aging population. Current literature acknowledges the outcomes of ageism toward older adults, however there has been little focus on the reciprocal effect toward young people. Programs geared at reducing ageism toward older adults show positive outcomes for both generations. This review explored the importance of intergenerational relationships and assessed the effectiveness of intergenerational programs on decreasing ageism toward young people. Method: A comprehensive database search was conducted to identify eligible studies published between 1989 and 2019. To be considered for final inclusion, studies had to implement an intergenerational program with outcome measures specifically addressing older adults’ attitudes toward young people. Results: Of the 4,661 articles retrieved, 12 studies were included with 1,570 participants. The specific intergenerational interventions differed, but commonalities included extended contact, community-based activities, and mentorship. Eleven of the twelve articles yielded statistically significant effects in reducing ageism toward young people. Evaluation of program outcomes resulted in four themes. Conclusion: Moderate evidence supports the effectiveness of intergenerational programs on reducing ageism toward young people. These results describe the literature and support the reciprocal effectiveness of these programs. Occupational therapists can be instrumental in promoting reduced ageism across the lifespan.