Intergenerational Connections and Pre-adolescent Flourishing: An Australian Snapshot

Abstract

Intergenerational relationships are recognised as important contributors to child and adolescent development and well-being, while also fostering intergenerational understanding and community cohesion. However, research has predominantly focused on structured intergenerational practice programs or grandparent–grandchild relationships, with limited understanding of naturally occurring interactions between pre-adolescents and older adults in everyday life. This study examined the frequency, nature, and motivation of intergenerational interactions among Australian pre-adolescents and explored their associations with flourishing. A cross-sectional survey was completed by 127 pre-adolescents aged 9–13 years attending Out-of-School Hours Care services in New South Wales and Queensland, Australia. Measures assessed contact frequency with both grandparents and other older adults, participation in intergenerational activities, motivation for engagement, and flourishing using the EPOCH Measure of Adolescent Well-Being. Intergenerational contact was generally infrequent, with most participants reporting contact with grandparents and other older adults several times per month or less. Contact frequency was not associated with flourishing. In contrast, stronger motivation for intergenerational engagement and greater participation in activities with non-familial older adults were associated with higher flourishing. Pre-adolescents expressed a preference for more experiential and socially engaging interactions, including outdoor, recreational, and shared activities, highlighting a mismatch between existing and desired opportunities for engagement. Findings suggest that how pre-adolescents perceive and value intergenerational engagement may be more important for flourishing than contact frequency alone. Motivation emerged as the strongest correlate of flourishing, indicating that enjoyable and meaningful interactions may be particularly important during pre-adolescence. Future research should examine the quality and context of intergenerational relationships and employ longitudinal designs to better understand how intergenerational engagement contributes to child and adolescent well-being over time.