Health Awareness, Attitudes, and Behaviors Among Young-Adult Tutors in the Intergenerational Mobile Technology Opportunities Program in Taiwan

Objective: Health-risk behaviors (e.g., inadequate dietary choices, physical inactivity) predispose young adults to a greater risk for diabetes. This study examines young-adult tutors' experience in a nonfamilial intergenerational program with older diabetic adults and the tutors' perceptions of program benefits relative to promoting their own healthy behavior. Method: Using a qualitative purposive sampling method, we recruited 146 college students to participate as technology support tutors in an 8-week Intergenerational Mobile Technology Opportunity Program (IMTOP) for older adults with type 2 diabetes. Results: Tutors reported knowledge gains in understanding the association between behavior in early life and later-life health consequences when older diabetic patients shared their stories and experiences with chronic disease. Tutors also described using gained knowledge for self-care, such as addressing sedentary lifestyles, making good dietary choices, and better managing weight. Conclusions: Intergenerational programs may promote healthy development for young adults by encouraging behavioral modifications that reduce risks of developing diabetes and other conditions that jeopardize health.