In super-aged societies, retirement is often framed as dependency and psychological adjustment, with research emphasizing wellbeing or identity reconstruction. This framing may obscure the “silver dividend”—accumulated human and social capital and its potential for community value creation. Using a productive aging lens and drawing on role theory and social capital, this study examines how senior education supports a shift from economic productivity to social productivity in an outlying island context. Drawing on semi-structured interviews in Kinmen County, Taiwan, this study compares older adults with and without experience in senior learning programs. An abductive thematic analysis was employed to elucidate the mechanisms linking learning to sustained contribution and to examine the constraints that condition engagement. Findings suggest a three-stage mechanism: Capability Activation refreshes skills and confidence; Social Capital Building expands resources through bonding, bridging, and linking ties; and Role Legitimation and Transition consolidates contributor identities as individuals assume responsibilities and are recognized as organizers, leaders, or trusted resource persons. Bonding ties offered peer encouragement and identity support, bridging ties connected learners to community organizations, and linking ties formalized access to institutional service systems and stable roles. Together, these processes are associated with routine volunteering, leadership responsibilities, and knowledge spillovers through mentoring and sharing practical know-how. Compared with non-participants, who often described episodic helping in informal networks, participants more frequently reported formalized roles and sustained civic engagement. Caregiving responsibilities and schedule lock-in constrained contribution across both groups. The study clarifies how senior education converts learning into social productivity, informing program design and community partnership strategies in aging island settings and community-based aging policy development locally.

Authors:
Yu-Fang Yen, National Quemoy University, Taiwan
Hsing Kuo Wang, National Quemoy University, Taiwan
Ka Fai Ng, National Quemoy University, Macau

About the Presenter(s)
Yvonne Yu-Fang Yen, Distinguished Professor at National Quemoy University and Dean of the Office of Cross-Strait and International Affairs. Her interests include HRM, organizational behavior, and lifelong learning. She currently leads a project on active aging and senior education.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Tuesday Schedule

Bookmark