The Impact of an Intergenerational Service Learning Program on Psychological Distress for Homebound Older Adults

ABSTRACT

This study examined the benefits of an intergenerational home-based service learning program to reduce psychological distress for homebound older adults. Multivariate regression analyses were conducted with a sample of 182 to examine the association of length of service from the program and presence of caregivers with psychological distress. Findings indicated length of service (β = -0.15, p < .05) and having a child as a caregiver (β = -0.14, p < .05) were associated with a reduction in psychological distress. Policies and practice can support a pipeline of geriatric health professionals through innovative service learning models to benefit older adults, caregivers, and students.

KEYWORDS:

• Intergenerational intervention
• homebound
• caregiving
• community engagement

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund [R-2108-149060]; the Administration for Community Living [90CCDG001-02-00]; the National Institute on Aging [P30AG0059304; 1L60AG079415-01]; the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities [1P50MD017356]; the Health and Aging Policy Fellows [2018-0074]; and the Eastern Michigan University Summer Research Award.