Related Experiment Videos
Internalizing elders' life journeys: Activating humanism in intergenerational teaching programs - a qualitative study
Mei-Yu Yeh1, Chueh-Fen Lu2, Pei-Chun Liao2
1Chair Professor, Department of Nursing, College of Nursing and Health Science, Kang Ning University, Taipei City, Taiwan.
Background:
Taiwan's rapidly aging population and evolving family structures have reduced opportunities for intergenerational interaction, creating a need for innovative educational strategies that promote mutual understanding and humanistic values among future healthcare professionals.
Aim:
This study aimed to cultivate nursing students' humanistic caring literacy by facilitating meaningful engagement with older adults to deepen their understanding of aging, life experiences, and intergenerational emotional connections.
Methods:
A qualitative study was conducted between March and July 2018. Fifty-nine undergraduate nursing students enrolled in a Nursing and Humanities course participated in an intergenerational teaching program. Students engaged in a structured intergenerational teaching program involving small-group dialogue with older adults. Data were collected through classroom observations, students' reflective writing, and feedback from older adults, and analyzed using qualitative content analysis with triangulation to ensure credibility.
Results:
Observations revealed two overarching phenomena: (1) students' projection of older adults' life processes and (2) older adults' integration of their life experiences. Student reflections identified three themes: (1) respectful, culturally attuned communication strategies when engaging with older adults, (2) recognition of older adults as mentors with profound life experience, and (3) activation of students' caring and reflective capacities toward older adults.
Conclusion:
The intergenerational teaching program enriched nursing students' perspectives on aging, challenged age-related stereotypes, and supported the development of humanistic caring literacy. Such structured intergenerational learning experiences may be a valuable pedagogical approach in preparing nursing students to care for older adults in rapidly aging societies.
Related Concept Videos
Erikson's Theory on Socioemotional Development during Adulthood
Intimacy Versus Isolation in Early Adulthood
Individuals in early adulthood, from the 20s...
Humanistic Psychology
This approach...
Emerging Adulthood
Humanistic Therapy
Influence of Parents and Peers on Identity
Parental Influence on Identity Development
Parents serve as primary guides and managers in an adolescent's life, offering support instrumental in decision-making and personal growth. This guiding role...
Social Foundations of Self II: The Generalized Other