The Influence of the Intergenerational Relationship on the Academic Performance of Young and Old College Students

Abstract

Several studies have focused on older students. However, few studies have tested the influence of intergenerational relationships on academic performance by older students and whether there is a difference between them and younger students. This study used a qualitative and longitudinal approach to investigate the influence of the intergenerational relationship on the academic performance of young and old college students. The sample consisted of 20 students (10 old and 10 young people), 3 professors, and 2 employees of undergraduate courses in public and private institutions in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro. We conducted semi-structured interviews with an interviewing script and an open question about the academic performance of college students using content analysis. Both the level of intergenerational relationships and academic performance were compared over 2 years using the coefficients of income. The research confirmed the hypothesis that intergenerational relationships influenced the academic performance of both older and younger students. For older people, improvement in academic performance was consistent, while for young people performance oscillated. become more selective; they also prefer to broaden their emotional and social experiences on the one hand and reduce, on the other hand, emotional and social risks. Keywords14 Still, according to this theory, young adults tend to perceive time as something open, and, therefore, they prioritize future goals oriented by knowledge acquisition. To them, this learning is immediate.The educational process is not restricted to the classroom but extends to convivence and sharing. In this new paradigm, reflect about the issue is fundamental, especially because intergenerational relationships are a reality in the current academic environment. The question should be whether this convivence between young and old individuals is a predictor that favors their teaching-learning process, especially for old people, because of the imminent demographic challenge. Is it possible to affirm that intergenerational relationships only create benefits, even considering conflicting relationships? In fact, investigations must also consider how the old college students are perceived by young students and vice-versa; in addition, there is a need to understand how this contact benefits both age groups.This study is important because intergenerational convivence represents a learning opportunity to everyone involved in social relationships, translating into a reciprocal social participation in which both old and young individuals are receptors, donors, or transmitters of knowledge. 7When the receptor is an old individual, entering or reentering an educational environment might transform his or her life; in addition, the older person is a transmitter because the individual is prompted to reflect about his or her values and own life history.15 Young people might update old people about the use of language and technology. 16 MethodThis longitudinal study collected data ...