Using Intergenerational Service Learning to Promote Positive Perceptions about Older Adults and Community Service in College Students

This research contributes to the evaluation of the Meaningful Connections program, an intergenerational service-learning program that brings college students and older adults together for small group discussions. Changes in student attitudes toward older adults and community service were examined using pre- and posttest data from the Aging Semantic Differential Scale and Community Service Attitudes Scale. Results indicated that attitudes toward older adults showed a significant positive change at posttest. No significant changes were witnessed for attitudes toward community service. These findings suggest that the Meaningful Connections program has a positive impact on student attitudes toward older adults.

[1]  S. Gladding,et al.  Group Counseling with Older Adults , 2004 .

[2]  P. Roodin,et al.  SERVICE-LEARNING IN GERONTOLOGY: AN OUT-OF-CLASSROOM EXPERIENCE , 2001 .

[3]  J. Pittman,et al.  Attitudes of Youth Toward Known and General Target Elderly , 1987 .

[4]  L. Taft.  The Art and Science of Reminiscing , 1996 .

[5]  Julie A. Hatcher,et al.  Implementing Service Learning in Higher Education , 1996 .

[6]  R. P. McGlynn,et al.  INTERGENERATIONAL CONTACT, ATTITUDES, AND STEREOTYPES OF ADOLESCENTS AND OLDER PEOPLE , 2004 .

[7]  R. Chernesky,et al.  Influencing Student Attitudes Toward Older Adults: Results of a Service-Learning Collaboration , 2006 .

[8]  J. R. Snyder.  The Influence of Instruction on College Students' Attitudes Toward Older Adults , 2006, Gerontology & geriatrics education.

[9]  A. Bowen,et al.  Improving attitudes regarding the elderly population: the effects of information and reinforcement for change. , 2001, The Gerontologist.

[10]  Nathan R. Cottle,et al.  Combating Ageism: Change in Student Knowledge and Attitudes Regarding Aging , 2007 .

[11]  Anne R. Roschelle,et al.  Who Learns from Service Learning? , 2000 .

[12]  J. Damron-Rodriguez,et al.  Endurance of Undergraduate Attitudes Toward Older Adults , 2006 .

[13]  Susan A. Murty,et al.  INTERGENERATIONAL SERVICE-LEARNING IN FIVE COHORTS OF STUDENTS: IS ATTITUDE CHANGE ROBUST? , 2004 .

[14]  Rosemary Blieszner, Lisa M. Artale.  BENEFITS OF INTERGENERATIONAL SERVICE-LEARNING TO HUMAN SERVICES MAJORS , 2001 .

[15]  Roma Stovall Hanks, Marjorie Icenogle.  PREPARING FOR AN AGE-DIVERSE WORKFORCE: INTERGENERATIONAL SERVICE-LEARNING IN SOCIAL GERONTOLOGY AND BUSINESS CURRICULA , 2001 .

[16]  James L. Walker,et al.  CHANGING ATTITUDES TOWARD THE ELDERLY: THE IMPACT OF THREE METHODS OF ATTITUDE CHANGE , 1986 .

[17]  J. Munter.  Linking Community and Classroom in Higher Education: Service-Learning and Student Empowerment , 2002 .

[18]  Lori A. Harris, Stephanie Dollinger.  PARTICIPATION IN A COURSE ON AGING: KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES, AND ANXIETY ABOUT AGING IN ONESELF AND OTHERS , 2001 .

[19]  Mary L. Tucker,et al.  Development and Construct Validity of Scores on the Community Service Attitudes Scale , 2000 .

[20]  Donna M. Butts.  Intergenerational service learning and volunteering , 2003 .

[21]  S. Whitbourne,et al.  FORMATIVE REFLECTIONS ON SERVICE-LEARNING IN A COURSE ON THE PSYCHOLOGY OF AGING , 2001 .

[22]  S. Finkel,et al.  Education and training of mental health service providers. , 1995 .

[23]  S. Hunter,et al.  The Impact of Service Learning on Democratic and Civic Values* , 2000, PS: Political Science & Politics.

[24]  L. Lunsky.  Identity and the Life Cycle. , 1966 .

[25]  L. Dorfman,et al.  Incorporating Intergenerational Service-Learning into an Introductory Gerontology Course , 2003 .