Daily Family Interaction and Intergenerational Synchrony: The Impact of Everyday Language Practices on Elderly Well-Being in Multigenerational Households in Spain

Abstract

This study explores the role of everyday language practices in shaping emotional synchrony and well-being among elderly family members in multigenerational households in Spain. Drawing on sociolinguistic theory and qualitative insights, the research examines how routine conversations—through their tone, content, rhythm, and inclusion dynamics—construct intergenerational relationships that either foster connection or reinforce exclusion. The analysis highlights three core dimensions of intergenerational communication: emotional resonance, narrative agency, and discursive accessibility. It argues that the elderly voice, often overlooked in fast-paced household interactions, remains a vital medium for transmitting memory, identity, and care. In the context of an aging European society, the findings underscore the importance of language-aware family practices and policy frameworks that recognize communication as central to elder inclusion, dignity, and psychological well-being.