Grandparent-Grandchild Reminiscence Program for Asian American Families: Intergenerational and Cultural Reflection...

Intergenerational solidarity between grandparents and grandchildren is a longstanding tradition that strengthens family bonds and supports the psychological wellbeing of older adults, particularly within Asian families. Drawing on theories of lifespan development, social connectedness, and narrative identity, an intergenerational reminiscence program was developed to promote emotional well-being and deepen generational connections among Asian American families.

This study qualitatively examined the reflections of 12 grandparent-grandchild dyads who completed the program. Grandparents participated in six weekly, one-hour guided life review and reminiscence sessions, conducted either in person or online and facilitated by grandchildren. Following the intervention, individual interviews were conducted with the dyads. Interview data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's six-step thematic analysis approach.

Three themes emerged describing participants' experiences with intergenerational storytelling and learning. The first, engagement with family history and stories, captured participants' enjoyment of sharing and discovering family narratives, uncovering previously unknown histories, and building curiosity about their ancestry. The second theme, transmission of wisdom and life lessons, reflected the intergenerational sharing of career guidance, practical life advice, perspectives on resilience, and strengthened appreciation for personal circumstances. The third theme, intergenerational and cultural understanding, highlighted increased awareness of generational differences, respect for cultural and personal viewpoints, and strengthened emotional bonds.

The findings align with cultural transmission theory, intergenerational solidarity theory, and psychological theories of reminiscence and identity formation. Reflections from both grandparents and grandchildren suggest that intergenerational reminiscence effectively fosters closer relationships across generations by revisiting family history and cultural roots. Lessons learned and recommendations for future culturally responsive interventions with Asian American families are discussed.