INTERGENERATIONAL MENTORING AND SOCIAL SUPPORT: EVIDENCE FROM THE BRIDGE2HEALTH PROGRAM

Sep 29, 2026

Healthy aging depends on strong social connections, and intergenerational approaches can create meaningful opportunities for that connection. Evidence from the BRIDGE2Health shared mentoring program evaluated functional social support among adults (n=58, ages 50–79) who participated monthly with teens across two communities. Paired tests showed significant pre–post improvements in appraisal, tangible support, and belonging. Changes were comparable for new and returning participants, with returning participants showing a larger appraisal effect. The findings support intergenerational mentoring as a practical pathway to strengthen social connection.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Study Overview

BRIDGE2Health Program

Participants and Measures

Functional Social Support Assessment

Results

Pre–Post Changes

New vs. Returning Participants

Implications

FAQs

What is the BRIDGE2Health program intended to do?

BRIDGE2Health is a shared mentoring program designed to improve intergenerational social connections for healthier aging.

Which aspects of functional social support improved after participation?

Adults showed significant pre–post differences in appraisal, tangible support, and belonging across both communities.

Did new participants and returning participants experience different changes?

Both groups showed similar levels of change in social connection; returning participants had a larger appraisal effect, while new participants showed the strongest difference in belonging.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by A glass of water