What is the effect of intergenerational activities on the wellbeing and mental health of older people?: A systematic review
Abstract Background Opportunities for social connection between generations have diminished over the last few decades around the world as a result of changes in the way that we live and work. The COVID‐19 pandemic has exacerbated loneliness for many with young and old being kept apart for safety. Th...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2023-12-01
|
| Series: | Campbell Systematic Reviews |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.1355 |
| _version_ | 1797374846372413440 |
|---|---|
| author | Rebecca Whear Fiona Campbell Morwenna Rogers Anthea Sutton Ellie Robinson‐Carter Richard Sharpe Stuart Cohen Ronald Fergy Ruth Garside Dylan Kneale G. J. Melendez‐Torres Joanna Thompson‐Coon |
| author_facet | Rebecca Whear Fiona Campbell Morwenna Rogers Anthea Sutton Ellie Robinson‐Carter Richard Sharpe Stuart Cohen Ronald Fergy Ruth Garside Dylan Kneale G. J. Melendez‐Torres Joanna Thompson‐Coon |
| author_sort | Rebecca Whear |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Opportunities for social connection between generations have diminished over the last few decades around the world as a result of changes in the way that we live and work. The COVID‐19 pandemic has exacerbated loneliness for many with young and old being kept apart for safety. The Public Health England prevention concordat for better mental health (Office for Health Improvement and Disparities) aims to bring a prevention‐focused approach to improving public mental health. The concordat promotes evidence‐based planning and commissioning to increase the impact on reducing health inequalities using sustainable and cost‐effective interventions that impact on the wider determinants of mental health and wellbeing for children and young people and older people. Intergenerational activities could provide an opportunity to support both populations. In 2023, we produced an evidence and gap map to illustrate the amount and variety of research on intergenerational interventions and the gaps in research that still exist in this area. The review conducted here is based on the evidence in that map. Objectives This systematic review examines the impact of intergenerational interventions on the wellbeing and mental health of older people and identifies areas for future research as well as key messages for service commissioners. Search Methods We searched an evidence and gap map published in 2022 (comprehensive searches conducted July 2021 and updated June 2023) to identify randomised controlled trials of intergenerational interventions that report mental health and wellbeing outcomes for older people. Selection Criteria Randomised controlled trials of intergenerational interventions that involved unrelated younger and older people with at least one skipped generation between them and reported mental health or wellbeing outcomes for older people were included in this review. Data Collection and Analysis We used standard methodological procedures expected by The Campbell Collaboration. We conducted data extraction and Cochrane risk of bias assessments in EPPI reviewer. Where data allowed meta‐analyses were conducted in STATA. Main Results This review includes 14 trials from six different countries. The trials had some important methodological weaknesses. Interventions were mainly delivered in‐person and often in groups. They included visiting programmes, school volunteering programmes, music‐based interventions and task‐oriented interventions such as activities set in a multigenerational park, reminiscing activities, aggression management programmes, learning a language, making local environmental changes and in‐school project work. Intergenerational interventions showed a small positive trend towards improving self‐esteem (effect size [ES]: 0.33, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.35, 1.01) and depression (ES: 0.19, 95% CI: −0.23, 0.60) for older people participating. However, due to the small study sizes and low number of studies available, we cannot be confident about any effects. The results for other mental health and wellbeing outcomes are reported but due to little overlap in similar assessments across the studies, we could not combine them to assess the strength of evidence. There were no data about social isolation, spiritual health or sense of community. There are no long‐term studies and no data on equity. We still know very little about what works and how or why. Whilst some interventions do use theories and logic to inform their development others do not. More exploration of this is needed. Authors’ Conclusions Commissioners and intervention developers should ensure interventions provide sufficient theoretical evidence for the logic behind the proposed intervention and should improve their consideration of equity within the interventions Research on intergenerational interventions need more consistent and agreed measures for reporting outcomes including community outcomes (core outcome sets). More understanding is needed on how best to measure ‘community’ outcomes. Research on intergenerational interventions should measure outcomes for BOTH the older and younger population engaged in the intervention—these may or may not be the same outcomes reflected in both populations. Further research is needed on the long‐term impact of interventions on outcomes (whether participants need to keep being involved in an ‘intervention’ to continue to benefit) and sustainability of interventions beyond the initial funding of the research project. Supporting this our stakeholders highlighted that interventions that are initiated for research and then end (usually within a year) are not helpful. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T19:11:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-73ca1b6a08e84667b80855dc5e45592e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1891-1803 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T19:11:39Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Campbell Systematic Reviews |
| spelling | doaj.art-73ca1b6a08e84667b80855dc5e45592e2023-12-27T11:00:42ZengWileyCampbell Systematic Reviews1891-18032023-12-01194n/an/a10.1002/cl2.1355What is the effect of intergenerational activities on the wellbeing and mental health of older people?: A systematic reviewRebecca Whear0Fiona Campbell1Morwenna Rogers2Anthea Sutton3Ellie Robinson‐Carter4Richard Sharpe5Stuart Cohen6Ronald Fergy7Ruth Garside8Dylan Kneale9G. J. Melendez‐Torres10Joanna Thompson‐Coon11NIHR ARC South West Peninsula (PenARC) University of Exeter Medical School University of Exeter Exeter UKSchool of Health and Related Research The University of Sheffield Sheffield UKNIHR ARC South West Peninsula (PenARC) University of Exeter Medical School University of Exeter Exeter UKSchool of Health and Related Research University of Sheffield Sheffield UKCo‐Chair “Only Connect!” Network & Conference Series "Only Connect!" Truro UKPublic Health Cornwall Council & University of Exeter Medical School St. Austell UKNHS Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group St. Austell UKLondon UKEuropean Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School University of Exeter Truro UKEPPI‐Centre, Social Science Research Unit University College London London UKPeninsula Technology Assessment Group University of Exeter Medical School Exeter UKNIHR ARC South West Peninsula (PenARC) University of Exeter Medical School University of Exeter Exeter UKAbstract Background Opportunities for social connection between generations have diminished over the last few decades around the world as a result of changes in the way that we live and work. The COVID‐19 pandemic has exacerbated loneliness for many with young and old being kept apart for safety. The Public Health England prevention concordat for better mental health (Office for Health Improvement and Disparities) aims to bring a prevention‐focused approach to improving public mental health. The concordat promotes evidence‐based planning and commissioning to increase the impact on reducing health inequalities using sustainable and cost‐effective interventions that impact on the wider determinants of mental health and wellbeing for children and young people and older people. Intergenerational activities could provide an opportunity to support both populations. In 2023, we produced an evidence and gap map to illustrate the amount and variety of research on intergenerational interventions and the gaps in research that still exist in this area. The review conducted here is based on the evidence in that map. Objectives This systematic review examines the impact of intergenerational interventions on the wellbeing and mental health of older people and identifies areas for future research as well as key messages for service commissioners. Search Methods We searched an evidence and gap map published in 2022 (comprehensive searches conducted July 2021 and updated June 2023) to identify randomised controlled trials of intergenerational interventions that report mental health and wellbeing outcomes for older people. Selection Criteria Randomised controlled trials of intergenerational interventions that involved unrelated younger and older people with at least one skipped generation between them and reported mental health or wellbeing outcomes for older people were included in this review. Data Collection and Analysis We used standard methodological procedures expected by The Campbell Collaboration. We conducted data extraction and Cochrane risk of bias assessments in EPPI reviewer. Where data allowed meta‐analyses were conducted in STATA. Main Results This review includes 14 trials from six different countries. The trials had some important methodological weaknesses. Interventions were mainly delivered in‐person and often in groups. They included visiting programmes, school volunteering programmes, music‐based interventions and task‐oriented interventions such as activities set in a multigenerational park, reminiscing activities, aggression management programmes, learning a language, making local environmental changes and in‐school project work. Intergenerational interventions showed a small positive trend towards improving self‐esteem (effect size [ES]: 0.33, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.35, 1.01) and depression (ES: 0.19, 95% CI: −0.23, 0.60) for older people participating. However, due to the small study sizes and low number of studies available, we cannot be confident about any effects. The results for other mental health and wellbeing outcomes are reported but due to little overlap in similar assessments across the studies, we could not combine them to assess the strength of evidence. There were no data about social isolation, spiritual health or sense of community. There are no long‐term studies and no data on equity. We still know very little about what works and how or why. Whilst some interventions do use theories and logic to inform their development others do not. More exploration of this is needed. Authors’ Conclusions Commissioners and intervention developers should ensure interventions provide sufficient theoretical evidence for the logic behind the proposed intervention and should improve their consideration of equity within the interventions Research on intergenerational interventions need more consistent and agreed measures for reporting outcomes including community outcomes (core outcome sets). More understanding is needed on how best to measure ‘community’ outcomes. Research on intergenerational interventions should measure outcomes for BOTH the older and younger population engaged in the intervention—these may or may not be the same outcomes reflected in both populations. Further research is needed on the long‐term impact of interventions on outcomes (whether participants need to keep being involved in an ‘intervention’ to continue to benefit) and sustainability of interventions beyond the initial funding of the research project. Supporting this our stakeholders highlighted that interventions that are initiated for research and then end (usually within a year) are not helpful.https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.1355 |
| spellingShingle | Rebecca Whear Fiona Campbell Morwenna Rogers Anthea Sutton Ellie Robinson‐Carter Richard Sharpe Stuart Cohen Ronald Fergy Ruth Garside Dylan Kneale G. J. Melendez‐Torres Joanna Thompson‐Coon What is the effect of intergenerational activities on the wellbeing and mental health of older people?: A systematic review Campbell Systematic Reviews |
| title | What is the effect of intergenerational activities on the wellbeing and mental health of older people?: A systematic review |
| title_full | What is the effect of intergenerational activities on the wellbeing and mental health of older people?: A systematic review |
| title_fullStr | What is the effect of intergenerational activities on the wellbeing and mental health of older people?: A systematic review |
| title_full_unstemmed | What is the effect of intergenerational activities on the wellbeing and mental health of older people?: A systematic review |
| title_short | What is the effect of intergenerational activities on the wellbeing and mental health of older people?: A systematic review |
| title_sort | what is the effect of intergenerational activities on the wellbeing and mental health of older people a systematic review |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/cl2.1355 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT rebeccawhear whatistheeffectofintergenerationalactivitiesonthewellbeingandmentalhealthofolderpeopleasystematicreview AT fionacampbell whatistheeffectofintergenerationalactivitiesonthewellbeingandmentalhealthofolderpeopleasystematicreview AT morwennarogers whatistheeffectofintergenerationalactivitiesonthewellbeingandmentalhealthofolderpeopleasystematicreview AT antheasutton whatistheeffectofintergenerationalactivitiesonthewellbeingandmentalhealthofolderpeopleasystematicreview AT ellierobinsoncarter whatistheeffectofintergenerationalactivitiesonthewellbeingandmentalhealthofolderpeopleasystematicreview AT richardsharpe whatistheeffectofintergenerationalactivitiesonthewellbeingandmentalhealthofolderpeopleasystematicreview AT stuartcohen whatistheeffectofintergenerationalactivitiesonthewellbeingandmentalhealthofolderpeopleasystematicreview AT ronaldfergy whatistheeffectofintergenerationalactivitiesonthewellbeingandmentalhealthofolderpeopleasystematicreview AT ruthgarside whatistheeffectofintergenerationalactivitiesonthewellbeingandmentalhealthofolderpeopleasystematicreview AT dylankneale whatistheeffectofintergenerationalactivitiesonthewellbeingandmentalhealthofolderpeopleasystematicreview AT gjmelendeztorres whatistheeffectofintergenerationalactivitiesonthewellbeingandmentalhealthofolderpeopleasystematicreview AT joannathompsoncoon whatistheeffectofintergenerationalactivitiesonthewellbeingandmentalhealthofolderpeopleasystematicreview |