Effect of Participation in an Intergenerational Theater Production

Abstract

ABSTRACT The Intergenerational Theater (IGT) Production project was implemented to provide an opportunity to promote the interactions between the generations. The purpose of this study was to conduct a formal evaluation of the effect participation in an IGT production had on child and youth participants’ attitudes toward aging and the effect participation had on the older adults’ level of satisfaction. The youth group had significant positive changes in attitudes toward older adults from baseline to follow-up, with little change for the child group. Older adults noted that the experience had a positive effect on meaningfulness, purpose and accomplishments. These results support the benefits of participation in IGT productions.