title: The Effects of Spatial Enclosure on Social Interaction Between Older Adults With Dementia and Young Children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the impact of spatial enclosures on social interaction between older adults with early stage dementia and young children.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Intergenerational interaction through meaningful activities can promote positive affects and behaviors of children and older adults. The development of social interaction is closely related to the physical environment in association with personal competence of older adults with dementia and young children. However, minimal attention has been given to the role of physical environment in influencing intergenerational interaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  A quasi-experiment examined the functional relationship between the amount of spatial enclosure and the types of social behaviors of older adults with dementia and young children. Semi-structured interviews, aided by a photographic simulation, were developed to explore the participants' perceptions of and experiences with the different degrees of spatial enclosure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Findings showed that the semienclosed spatial plan impacted both prosocial and antisocial behaviors of older adults with dementia in their interactions with young children. This apparent discrepancy was associated with two conflicting perceptions: a sense of openness and the lack of control due to distraction created by the loose visual boundary. There was no correlation between the elder-child neutral behaviors and the degrees of spatial enclosure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that spaces with moderate openness without visual and acoustic distraction are the most desirable to promote prosocial behaviors of older adults with dementia and young children. Additionally, elder-child prosocial behaviors were likely facilitated by specific design features such as adequate personal space, the perception of openness, and possible spaces that provide both prospect and refuge in relation to spatial enclosure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Architecture and Interior Design, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID, USA Fellow and Faculty of Center for Health Systems & Design, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA mcerruti@uidaho.edu.
authors.forename: Minyoung S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Cerruti
authors.affiliation: Department of Design and Environmental Analysis, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA Fellow of American Institute of Architects, Washington, DC, USA Fellow of American College of Healthcare Architects, Olathe, KS, USA.
authors.forename: Mardelle M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Shepley
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D040561:Assisted Living Facilities; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology*; D005160:Facility Design and Construction; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016901:Intergenerational Relations; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D012931:Social Environment; D013781:Texas
keywords: dementia; evidence-based design; older adults; social interaction; spatial enclosure; young children