JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

There is a compelling need for an innovative and creative approach to promote social connectedness among older adults to optimise their well-being and quality of life. One possible solution may be through digital intergenerational program.

Objective:

This realist review aimed to identify existing digital intergenerational programs that were used to reduce loneliness or social isolation among older adults, and analyse them in terms of strategy, context, mechanisms and outcomes.

Methods:

We performed a realist review with an extensive search of published and gray literature. We included programs that evaluated digital intergenerational programs for older adults which described outcomes on loneliness or social isolation. We included quantitative, mixed-methods and qualitative studies, as well as relevant theoretical papers and policy/implementation documents. We synthesized the available evidence from the literature into Strategy- Context-Mechanism-Outcome (S-C-M-O) configurations in order to better understand what, when and how programs work.

Results:

A total of 31 documents reporting on 27 digital intergenerational programs were reviewed. Our final results identified four S-C-M-O configurations. Different strategies (e.g. videocall, provision of access and training to digital technology, videoconference behavioral activation) have been found to be potentially useful for different subgroups of older adults (i.e., older adults in long-term residential care facilities, community-dwelling older adults, and older adults who are lonely).

Conclusions:

This review identifies the key strategy, context and mechanism influencing the success of program promoting intergenerational interaction through digital means. The S-C-M-O configurations presented should be considered when designing and implementing digital intergenerational programs for older adults.