A narrative study of emerging adults who have positive views toward the elderly

This exploratory study was conducted to answer the research question of how emerging adults with self-identified positive views toward the elderly described their life history and its meaning. As the number of adults over the age of 65 in the United States increases, it is important for human service professionals and policy makers to consider factors associated with the development of positive attitudes toward the elderly. The attitudes of younger adults are particularly important since they will be in positions of setting policy and providing care for older adults. Theoretical perspectives that formed the conceptual framework for the study included Bronfenbrenner's bioecological perspective, Elder's life course model, and Bandura's social cognitive theory. Using a narrative life story approach, the research consisted of conducting two semistructured, in-depth interviews with a nonprobability sample of 8 participants drawn from the community college population of a college located in the Northeast. The interviews included identification of significant life experiences, and discussion of familial and nonfamilial relationships. Interviews were analyzed using categorical content analysis. Credibility of the data was established through member checking. The central theme that emerged was the importance of intergenerational relations. The source, nature, and influence of these relationships were considered. Additional avenues for research were identified, including the variability and influence of different sources on attitudes and the role of ethnicity on attitudes. Implications for social change from the study include consideration of how beliefs and attitudes shape social institutions. Three institutions, families, schools, and churches are critical in promoting positive intergenerational attitudes. Through more positive attitudes, more compassionate, humane approaches to caring for the elderly can be established.