Global Reflections
Reinforcing Intergenerational Solidarity in African Societies: A Social Work Perspective on Tradition, Disruption, and Renewal View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Mpumelelo Ncube
This study explores the evolution of intergenerational solidarity in African societies, emphasising the impact of colonisation, modernity, and globalisation on traditional kinship structures. Historically, African communities prioritised intergenerational cohesion through communal living, indigenous knowledge transmission, and elder-led governance. However, the imposition of Western rationality, individualism, and economic pragmatism has eroded these systems, weakening traditional caregiving roles and disrupting intergenerational relationships. Using The Dialectic of Enlightenment as a theoretical lens, this paper critically examines how modernisation commodifies care, marginalises indigenous knowledge, and fosters cultural homogenisation. The concept of cocomelonisation is introduced to illustrate the global dominance of Western media in early childhood socialisation, further disconnecting younger generations from African epistemologies. The study employs critical discourse analysis and documentary review to assess these disruptions and their implications for social work practice. It argues for the reintegration of indigenous knowledge systems, the restoration of eldership in governance, and the mainstreaming of gerontology in social work education. By fostering critical consciousness, social workers can strengthen intergenerational bonds, ensuring enduring well-being. This paper underscores the need for socially transformative policies that balance modern advancements with African values, advocating for a human-centred approach to social work and community resilience.
Adaptation and Psychometric Evaluation of the Brazilian Version of the Caregiving Ambivalence Scale View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Heloisa Goncalves Ferreira
In contexts marked by demographic aging and growing intergenerational challenges, understanding the emotional dynamics of caregiving is essential to strengthening solidarity and resilience within families. The Caregiving Ambivalence Scale (CAS) is a 5-item Spanish instrument designed to assess ambivalent feelings in family caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s Disease. This study aimed to adapt the CAS for use in Brazil, evaluating its semantic, conceptual, cultural, idiomatic, and psychometric equivalence. Two independent translations (Spanish–Portuguese) and back-translations (Portuguese–Spanish) were conducted. Conceptual, cultural, and idiomatic equivalence was evaluated by three experts, with Fleiss’ Kappa of 1.0. The Brazilian version was administered to 111 family caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s, recruited online from all regions of Brazil. Participants answered the Brazilian version of CAS, a sociodemographic questionnaire, and DASS-21. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a unidimensional structure with excellent fit indices (χ²/df = 1.13; CFI = .999; TLI = .998; RMSEA = .036) and strong composite reliability (CR = 0.88). Convergent validity was demonstrated through significant positive correlations with depression (rho = .554; p < .001), anxiety (rho = .404; p < .001), and stress (rho = .558; p < .001). The Brazilian CAS demonstrated semantic, conceptual, cultural, and idiomatic equivalence with the original version and robust psychometric properties. It is a valid and reliable tool for identifying ambivalence in family caregivers of older adults with Alzheimer’s and conducting cross-cultural studies. Its use can support early identification of emotional distress and guide culturally sensitive interventions that promote caregivers’ mental health, contributing to intergenerational well-being.
Shifting Migration Patterns and Their Impact on Population Ageing in Lithuania: Insights from the Analysis of Demographic Trends in Lithuania, 2010–2024 View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Daumantas Stumbrys
Since 1990, Lithuania has experienced a rapid population decline from 3.7 to 2.9 million, driven by low fertility, high emigration, fluctuating life expectancy, and population ageing. However, in recent years, Lithuania has undergone significant demographic transformations that have led to stabilization and even growth in the total population. This paper explores the associations between population ageing in Lithuania and recent demographic shifts, particularly in the context of migration dynamics. The study is based on an analysis of aggregated demographic measures from 2010–2024 retrieved from Statistics Lithuania. Formal demographic methods, including period rate and dependency ratio analysis, were applied to assess shifts in age structure and migration flows. The major driver of the recent transformation in population structure has been shifting migration patterns in Lithuania. The crude net international migration rate increased from -25.2 in 2010 to +8.0 in 2024 per 1,000 population. This new migration pattern has introduced both opportunities and challenges in mitigating the effects of an ageing population. Despite recent changes, population ageing remains a significant factor shaping Lithuania’s social and economic development, with long-term consequences for workforce composition and intergenerational dynamics. However, the change in migration patterns has at least temporarily alleviated the pace of population ageing in Lithuania. The findings highlight ongoing shifts in Lithuanian demographic development, with potential implications for future social and economic trends. This project has received funding from the Research Council of Lithuania (LMTLT), agreement No. S-MIP-24-19.
