Instapals: Reducing ageism by facilitating intergenerational contact and providing aging education

Ashley Lytle, Nancy Nowacek, Sheri R. Levy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

61 Scopus citations

Abstract

Utilizing the PEACE (Positive Education about Aging and Contact Experiences) model as a theoretical foundation, Instapals was a novel ageism reduction intervention with undergraduate students in a non-gerontology course that 1) provided aging education and 2) facilitated positive 1-to-1 intergenerational relationships with older adults (individuals 65+) through daily exchanges on Instagram for 30 days and two in-person meetings. Paired t-tests demonstrate a significant decrease in aging anxiety, psychological concerns about aging, and negative stereotyping of older adults. Results from coded open-ended responses suggest an overall positive experience with Instapals and more positive attitudes toward aging and older adults across a semester. Findings from the first test of Instapals, a theoretically-driven intervention, shows promise for reducing ageism among larger samples and in other settings.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)308-319
Number of pages12
JournalGerontology and Geriatrics Education
Volume41
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2 Jul 2020

Keywords

  • Ageism
  • aging education
  • contact theory
  • intergenerational relationships
  • intervention

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