Implementation of Evidence-Based Practices in Intergenerational Programming: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Evidence-based intergenerational practices are sought by practitioners interested in the potential value of intergenerational programs. These are often difficult to identify as intergenerational program research frequently consists of small samples and pre-post analyses of attitudinal data with little attention to implementation characteristics. We systematically identified evidence-based intergenerational practices linked to program outcomes from peer-reviewed journal articles ( n = 21) published between 2000 and 2019. Scoping reviews facilitate synthesis of available evidence-based practices and identification of gaps in the literature. Fifteen evidence-based intergenerational practices were identified; each was coded in at least five articles. The practices informed program content (e.g., using technology), program considerations (e.g., environmental modifications), facilitator and participant preparation (e.g., training), and quality interactions among participants (e.g., incorporating mechanisms of friendship). While these identified practices reflect extant theory and research, rigorous implementation research is needed to advance evidence-based intergenerational practice as policymakers and practitioners advocate for intergenerational program growth.

Increasing the Power of Intergenerational Programs: Advancing an Evaluation Tool

“…Further exploration of the BP Checklist is needed, as two items were positioned in factors theoretically but not statistically, and internal consistency is modest. Still, the high rate of BP implementation achieved and our EFA findings encourage additional investigation of the BP Checklist as a resource to practitioners and researchers, both groups having called for reliable, valid methods to evaluate IG program outcomes (Gerritzen et al, 2019;Jarrott & Lee, in press confirmatory factor analysis, the number of observations was larger than most IG program studies (Jarrott et al, 2021). With more BP Checklists, confirmatory factor analysis may further validate the structure of the BP Checklist.…”

“…Despite demonstrated benefits, IG program guidelines and evaluation methods and tools are highly variable (Galbraith et al, 2015). A review of the literature reveals that most IG program evaluations lack a guiding theoretical framework (Kuehne & Melville, 2014) and involve small sample sizes and pre-post surveys focused on participant attitudes and program satisfaction (Jarrott et al, 2021; Maley et al, 2017). Measures are often developed for individual studies, thereby limiting generalizability.…”

Program Practices Predict Intergenerational Interaction Among Children and Adults

“…Past research supports the major findings of the present study. While a recent scoping review ( Jarrott, Scrivano et al, 2021 ) concluded that most intergenerational research investigating evidence-based practices utilizes qualitative methodology, one quantitative study echoes the importance of facilitator-specific practices. Epstein and Boisvert (2006) describe five practices that promote intergenerational interaction, including a designated programming space, age-appropriate materials, and explicit facilitation by activity leaders.…”

“…Encountering challenges such as securing participants, program funding, and evidence of short- and long-term impacts results in some intergenerational programs discontinuing shared programming ( Jarrott & Lee, in press ). Investigations rarely consider the role of implementation factors ( Jarrott, Scrivano et al, 2021 ), which limits the potential for program tailoring or replication ( Powell et al, 2019 ). Despite these challenges, research has identified evidence- and practice-informed strategies to develop successful intergenerational programming.…”

“…Practices that emerged from this line of inquiry by Jarrott et al (2019 ; Jarrott, Turner et al, 2021 ; Juckett et al, 2021 ), such as attending to environmental features and incorporating participants’ cultures and experiences into programming, were echoed in a systematic scoping review of practices that influence measured intergenerational program outcomes ( Jarrott, Scrivano et al, 2021 ). For example, practices related to offering meaningful, age-appropriate roles and incorporating mechanisms of friendship among intergenerational participants were represented across several studies.…”