COMPARING THE IMPACT OF A PEER RECEPTION PROGRAM WITH A TRADITIONAL METHOD OF WELCOMING NEWCOMERS TO THE SENIOR CENTER
Abstract
Using social science/social work knowledge, techniques and research methodology, the impact of a Peer Reception Program is compared with the traditional method of welcoming newcomers to the senior center. The traditional intake procedure was supplemented with one specifically designed to welcome newcomers to the center by peer volunteers who oriented new members on their first day at the center and at subsequent reception group meetings to which they were personally invited. The extent to which the peer program of reception caused change toward the desired objectives was evaluated through the use of a quasi-experimental, time-series design, in which both the experimental and control groups were measured with respect to the dependent variables four months after their initial contact with the senior center. The respondents were randomly assigned to each group based upon the month of their first encounter with the center. Using a questionnaire to supplement the intake forms, comparisons between the groups were made on their frequency of contact with the center, their quality of contact at the center, the quality of relationships they established with other center participants, their attitude towards the center and their life-satisfaction. The study reveals that the experimental treatment results in significantly higher scores on all of the outcome measures. Older newcomers who are extrovert personality types, who live alone and who join the center to establish friendships benefit the most from the peer reception approach. The recommendation is made that senior centers coordinate the resources of peers in socializing newcomers to the center.
Subject Area
Gerontology
Recommended Citation
STEINMAN, SANDRA, "COMPARING THE IMPACT OF A PEER RECEPTION PROGRAM WITH A TRADITIONAL METHOD OF WELCOMING NEWCOMERS TO THE SENIOR CENTER" (1987). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI8718369.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI8718369
