Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 13, 2026
11:13
The Social Dimension of Stress: Experimental Manipulations of Social Support and Social Identity in the Trier Social Stress Test
Published on: November 19, 2015
14.5K
Implementing reverse mentoring to address social isolation among older adults
Bethany M Breck1, Cory B Dennis1, Skye N Leedahl2
1a School of Social Work , Brigham Young University in Provo , Utah , US.
Journal of Gerontological Social Work
|March 13, 2018
Summary
Reverse mentoring connects older adults with young mentors, enhancing digital skills and reducing social isolation. This intergenerational approach fosters self-efficacy, breaks stereotypes, and builds meaningful connections for both age groups.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Social Work
- Human-Computer Interaction
Background:
- Social isolation is a significant challenge for older adults.
- Digital competence is crucial for social connection in modern society.
- Intergenerational programs offer unique opportunities for mutual learning and support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the effectiveness of reverse mentoring in addressing social isolation among older adults.
- To explore how reverse mentoring facilitates intergenerational connections and enhances digital literacy.
- To understand the impact of reverse mentoring on self-efficacy and age-related stereotypes.
Main Methods:
- A qualitative study was conducted within an intergenerational reverse mentoring program.
- Data were collected through young adult mentor logs and post-surveys from older adults and mentors.
- Thematic analysis was employed to identify key findings related to social connection.
Main Results:
- Older adults reported increased self-efficacy in technology use.
- Young adult mentors developed leadership skills and confidence.
- The program successfully broke down age-related stereotypes and fostered intergenerational engagement.
- Participants experienced enhanced social connection and reduced feelings of isolation.
Conclusions:
- Reverse mentoring is an effective strategy to combat social isolation in older adults.
- The program enhances digital competence and promotes valuable intergenerational relationships.
- This model can be adapted to various settings to improve social well-being for older populations.
Related Concept Videos
01:41Social Traps
27.0K
Social traps are negative situations where people get caught in a direction or relationship that later proves to be unpleasant, with no easy way to back out of or avoid. The concept was orignally introduced by John Platt who applied psychology to Garrett Hardin's "Tragedy of the Commons", where in New England herd owners could let their cattle graze in the common ground. This situation seems like a good idea, but an individual could have an advantage. If they owned...
27.0K
00:52Social Proof
32.4K
Social proof is a form of persuasion based on comparison and conformity. People compare their behavior and actions to what others are doing and will change to conform to do what their peers do.
32.4K
02:10Social Scripts
10.3K
People tend to know what behavior is expected of them in specific, familiar settings. A script is a person’s knowledge about the sequence of events expected in a specific setting (Schank & Abelson, 1977). Essentially, scripts are a particular kind of schema, one containing default values for the features within an event. In the restaurant example, the script's features include the props (e.g., tables, menu, food, and money), the roles to be played (e.g., customer and waiter),...
10.3K
01:25Strategies for Assessing and Addressing Confounding
441
Confounding is a critical issue in epidemiological studies, often leading to misleading conclusions about associations between exposures and outcomes. It occurs when the relationship between the exposure and the outcome is mixed with the effects of other factors that influence the outcome. Given that, addressing confounding is of high importance for drawing accurate inferences in research.
Confounding can be addressed at both the design phase of a study and through analytical methods after data...
Confounding can be addressed at both the design phase of a study and through analytical methods after data...
441
01:04Social Facilitation
36.6K
Not all intergroup interactions lead to negative outcomes. Sometimes, being in a group situation can improve performance. Social facilitation occurs when an individual performs better when an audience is watching than when the individual performs the behavior alone. This typically occurs when people are performing a task for which they are skilled.
36.6K
01:37Social Loafing
39.7K
Another way in which a group presence can affect performance is social loafing—the exertion of less effort by a person working together with a group. Social loafing occurs when our individual performance cannot be evaluated separately from the group. Thus, group performance declines on easy tasks (Karau & Williams, 1993). Essentially individual group members loaf and let other group members pick up the slack. Because each individual’s efforts cannot be evaluated,...
39.7K