Learning about Grandparents’ Past Life: Reflections of Grandchildren in an Intergenerational Reminiscence Project for Asian American Families

Immigration, aging, and dementia often result in a triple jeopardy for Asian American older adults. To improve the well-being of Asian American older adults as well as generational bonding, an Intergenerational Grandparent–Grandchild Reminiscence Program was developed. This paper qualitatively repor...

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Main Authors: Ling Xu, Aaron Hagedorn, Minjaal Raval
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-09-01
Series:Behavioral Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/13/9/733
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author Ling Xu
Aaron Hagedorn
Minjaal Raval
author_facet Ling Xu
Aaron Hagedorn
Minjaal Raval
author_sort Ling Xu
collection DOAJ
description Immigration, aging, and dementia often result in a triple jeopardy for Asian American older adults. To improve the well-being of Asian American older adults as well as generational bonding, an Intergenerational Grandparent–Grandchild Reminiscence Program was developed. This paper qualitatively reports on the weekly reflections from the grandchild participants of this program. Older grandparents received six sessions of life-review discussion with their grandchildren remotely or in person for approximately 1 h each week for 6 weeks. Each grandchild (<i>n</i> = 12) provided a written reflection each week after talking with their grandparent. The qualitative data were organized and analyzed using the five phases of the rigorous and accelerated data reduction (RADaR) technique. The results show three categories of themes, as follows: Category 1—Positive experience: more connection with the grandparent; learning more about the grandparent’s past life experience; and more engagement; Category 2—Challenging experience: over-explaining things; language or vocabulary barriers; and overly-broad topics; Category 3—Strategy to lead the discussion: using guiding questions in the manual; using translators; spending time together; and taking notes. The results show that the intergenerational reminiscence program is promising for bonding and connection in the grandparent–grandchild relationship. Participants also gained knowledge and experienced challenges when talking with their grandparents during the program.
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spelling doaj.art-bddcdaa6ee0843fdb32f17f3769c1cfa2023-11-19T09:35:01ZengMDPI AGBehavioral Sciences2076-328X2023-09-0113973310.3390/bs13090733Learning about Grandparents’ Past Life: Reflections of Grandchildren in an Intergenerational Reminiscence Project for Asian American FamiliesLing Xu0Aaron Hagedorn1Minjaal Raval2School of Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76010, USASchool of Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76010, USASchool of Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX 76010, USAImmigration, aging, and dementia often result in a triple jeopardy for Asian American older adults. To improve the well-being of Asian American older adults as well as generational bonding, an Intergenerational Grandparent–Grandchild Reminiscence Program was developed. This paper qualitatively reports on the weekly reflections from the grandchild participants of this program. Older grandparents received six sessions of life-review discussion with their grandchildren remotely or in person for approximately 1 h each week for 6 weeks. Each grandchild (<i>n</i> = 12) provided a written reflection each week after talking with their grandparent. The qualitative data were organized and analyzed using the five phases of the rigorous and accelerated data reduction (RADaR) technique. The results show three categories of themes, as follows: Category 1—Positive experience: more connection with the grandparent; learning more about the grandparent’s past life experience; and more engagement; Category 2—Challenging experience: over-explaining things; language or vocabulary barriers; and overly-broad topics; Category 3—Strategy to lead the discussion: using guiding questions in the manual; using translators; spending time together; and taking notes. The results show that the intergenerational reminiscence program is promising for bonding and connection in the grandparent–grandchild relationship. Participants also gained knowledge and experienced challenges when talking with their grandparents during the program.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/13/9/733Asian American familiesgrandparent–grandchildlife reviewintergenerationalreminiscence
spellingShingle Ling Xu
Aaron Hagedorn
Minjaal Raval
Learning about Grandparents’ Past Life: Reflections of Grandchildren in an Intergenerational Reminiscence Project for Asian American Families
Behavioral Sciences
Asian American families
grandparent–grandchild
life review
intergenerational
reminiscence
title Learning about Grandparents’ Past Life: Reflections of Grandchildren in an Intergenerational Reminiscence Project for Asian American Families
title_full Learning about Grandparents’ Past Life: Reflections of Grandchildren in an Intergenerational Reminiscence Project for Asian American Families
title_fullStr Learning about Grandparents’ Past Life: Reflections of Grandchildren in an Intergenerational Reminiscence Project for Asian American Families
title_full_unstemmed Learning about Grandparents’ Past Life: Reflections of Grandchildren in an Intergenerational Reminiscence Project for Asian American Families
title_short Learning about Grandparents’ Past Life: Reflections of Grandchildren in an Intergenerational Reminiscence Project for Asian American Families
title_sort learning about grandparents past life reflections of grandchildren in an intergenerational reminiscence project for asian american families
topic Asian American families
grandparent–grandchild
life review
intergenerational
reminiscence
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/13/9/733
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