ATTITUDES TOWARD INTERGENERATIONAL EXCHANGES AMONG ADMINISTRATORS IN CHILD AND ADULT DAY CARE CENTERS

Abstract

Previous attitudinal research regarding age has focused solely on adults’ attitudes toward children or, more commonly, societal attitudes toward older adults. This study examines a new area of attitudinal research, factors that affect attitudes toward intergenerational exchanges (events) involving young children and older adults. Child and adult daycare professionals were selected as the study group because their practice settings are increasingly popular, contemporary environments for intergenerational exchanges between these two intergenerational partners. The results of regression analyses demonstrate that administrators’ attitudes are positively affected by contact with existing intergenerational programming and suggest that future administrators’ attitudes may be positively influenced by exposure to intergenerational programs while in graduate and undergraduate programs.