Meaningful intergenerational contact to build social connections, enhance felt understanding and build confidence in future community social action

Despite considerable research on the impact of intergenerational contact on attitudes and behaviours towards the other generation, very few studies have qualitatively explored the psychological processes which occur, nor have they tested the effect of such programmes on more generalised outcomes. In this paper, we examine the effect of an intergenerational contact intervention, centred around discussions of social issues with intergenerational conversation partners. Firstly, we analyse focus group and interview data with younger (n = 24) and older (n = 10) participants conducted following the programme. Thematic analysis is used to explore the psychological processes that occur during intergenerational contact that could drive attitude and behaviour change. This is complemented by a quantitative study in which we examine the impact of the intergenerational contact programme on key intergroup outcomes (confidence in contact, perceived similarity) and more generalised outcomes (confidence in community social action). Primary and secondary school aged children (N = 114) completed survey measures prior to and following the intervention programme. Themes arising from the qualitative analysis showed a breakdown in stereotypes of older and younger generations. Additionally, further themes arising included intergroup felt understanding, self-disclosure, feeling heard and having voice, which we contend may drive intergenerational contact effects on intergenerational and more generalised outcomes. Analysis of survey responses revealed a significant boost in confidence in contact, perceived similarity, and confidence in social action (secondary school age pupils only) following intergenerational contact programme. Methodological limitations are outlined and future directions for research discussed.