Effects of Generativity Interventions on the Mental Health of Community-Dwelling Healthy Older Adults: A Pilot Study of the “Be My Mentor” Program

ABSTRACT Purpose This pilot study aimed to assess the efficacy of the “Be my mentor” (BMM) generativity intervention, an intergenerational program, as a mean of enhancing the mental health of community-dwelling healthy older adults. Design A cluster randomized controlled trial (CRCT) design was adopted. Method In this CRCT study, older adults were assigned to either the intervention or control group. The intervention group engaged in three weekly intergenerational interactions with college students, assuming the role of mentors and participating in generativity-based activities. In contrast, the control group participated in three conventional intergenerational interactions. Emotional and mental health indicators of the participants were assessed both before and after the intervention. Emotional indicators included pleasure and arousal, while mental health indicators encompassed subjective well-being, depression, and self-esteem. Results After the intervention, the intervention group’s subjective well-being was significantly higher than the control group’s (p = 0.004). Within the intervention group, significant improvements were observed in pleasure and arousal, generativity, self-esteem, and subjective well-being (ps < 0.05), all higher than pre-intervention levels. Conclusion This study revealed that the BMM intergenerational program, grounded in generativity, effectively enhanced older adults’ subjective well-being, self-esteem, and emotional experiences, thereby supporting its application as a mental-health intervention. Clinical Relevance CThe BMM program offers a practical, community-based intervention to enhance mental health in older adults, providing a scalable model for community caregivers to promote healthy aging. Graphical abstract