Jeffrey Tsifan Tseng

Jeffrey Tsifan Tseng, Ph.D. candidate at the University of California, Davis Department of Communication, specializes in integrating gerontology, health sciences, and communication perspectives to promote ageism reduction and positive intergenerational relationships. Key author and consultant for intercollegiate intergenerational programs recognized by the UNESCO Chair. Dedicated to advancing research in intergenerational relations post-doctoral studies with a goal of developing strategies that foster positive intergenerational relationships and combat negative ageist stereotypes towards older adults.

· Tseng, J. T., Peña, J., & Xue, H. (2025). “Grandparents would rather talk; Grandchildren would rather text” The influence of ICT use on perceived social support and family communication in long-distance intergenerational familial pairs. Technology in Society, 83(102979). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.102979

· Tseng, J. T., Peña, J. (2025). The effects of playing vs. watching an interactive video game featuring an older adult protagonist on state empathy and ageism reduction. Games for Health Journal, 14(1), 35-41. https://doi.org/10.1089/g4h.2024.0090

· Tseng, J. T., Kuo, T., Huang, C.-k., Chang, L.-H., Hsu, Y.-J., Wang, Y.-W., & Hsiao, H.-Y (2025). Examining the impact of the Design-Thinking Intergenerational Service-Learning Model on older adults’ self-care behaviors and well-being. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 44(5), 679-687. https://doi.org/10.1177/07334648241286327

· Tseng, J. T., Hsiao, H.-Y, Yu, P.-L., & Chen, Y. (2023). Impact of a nonfamilial intergenerational program with a mobile application on college students' attitudes toward older adults in Taiwan.Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research, 14(2), 365-384. https://doi.org/10.1086/715817

· Hsiao, H.-Y, Tseng, J. T., Hsu, Y.-J., Chen, T., Wang, Y.-W., & Kuo, T. (2023). Effects of Design-Thinking Intergenerational Service-learning Model on college students: A pilot study in Taiwan. Research on Social Work Practice, 33(8), 861-874. https://doi.org/10.1177/10497315221146189

· Hsiao, H.-Y., Chen, Y., Yu, P.-L., Tseng, J. T., Kuo, S., Hu, Y. H., … Wu, S. (2020). Health awareness, attitudes, and behaviors among young-adult tutors in the Intergenerational Mobile Technology Opportunities Program in Taiwan. Journal of the Society for Social Work and Research, 11(1), 83-102. https://doi.org/10.1086/705416

· Miller, L. M. S., Tancredi, D. J., Kaiser, L. L., & Tseng, J. T. (2020). Midlife vulnerability and food insecurity: Findings from low-income adults in the US National Health Interview Survey. PLOS ONE, 15(7), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0233029

Hsiao, H. -Y, Kuo, T., Huang, C.-K., Chang, L.-H., Hsu, Y.-J., Tseng, J. T., . . . Wang, Y.-W. (2024). Program implementation of design thinking intergenerational service learning model (DTISLM) across Taiwan: Promoting intergenerational relationships and health behaviours among college students (Vol. 2). UNESCO Chair and WHO Collaborating Centre Global Health & Education

• Tseng, J. T. (2025). Leveling Up Social Support: The Role of Online Communication Attitudes and Video Game Co-Play in Older Adults’ Intergenerational Relationships (Under Review)
• Tseng, J. T. (2025). The Role of Instant Messaging in Enhancing Social Well-Being among Older Adults Living Alone in Taiwan. (R1 Under Review)
• Peña, J.; Allen, C.; Tseng, J. T.; Chen, V. H. H.; Ibasco, G.; Koek, W. J. D. (2025). Intergroup Contact in Virtual Reality: The Influence of Avatar Identity, Social Identity, and Contact Valence on Prejudice. (R1 Under Review)

• Researcher, Design Thinking Intergenerational Service-Learning Model (DTISLM)
  Spring 2021 – Summer 2024
  Supervisor: Prof. Hsin-Yi Hsiao
  Contributed to project planning and implementation in a multi-institutional intergenerational service-learning initiative
  Led efforts in data collection, data curation, analysis, manuscript development, and dissemination of research findings
• Research Investigator, Virtual Interaction & Communication Technology Research Lab (VICTR Lab)
  Fall 2019 – Spring 2024
  Supervisor: Prof. Jorge Peña
  Collaborated on multiple research projects focused on virtual interaction and communication technologies
  Contributed to project conceptualization, implementation, data collection, analysis, and final manuscript preparation for publication
• Researcher, Intergenerational Mobile Technology Opportunities Program (IMTOP)
  Fall 2015 – Summer 2021
  Supervisor: Prof. Hsin-Yi Hsiao
  Participated in a cross-university intergenerational research initiative
  Responsible for data collection, curation, analysis, manuscript writing, and publication efforts

• Teaching Assistant, Video Game Theories
  Spring 2020 – Summer 2023 (8 quarters)
  Instructor: Prof. Jorge Peña
  Supported course delivery, grading, and discussion section coordination
  Taught weekly discussion sections and helped implement the inception of the course
• Teaching Assistant, Interpersonal Technology
  Spring 2021 – Spring 2024 (3 quarters)
  Instructor: Prof. Steven Brunner
  Led discussion section lectures and facilitated course delivery and grading
• Teaching Assistant, Nonverbal Communication
  Fall 2020 – Spring 2025 (6 quarters)
  Instructor: Prof. Steven Brunner
  Assisted in course delivery, management, and grading
• Teaching Assistant, Interpersonal Communication
  Winter 2024
  Instructor: Prof. Virginia Hamilton
  Taught discussion sections and assisted with course delivery and grading
• Teaching Assistant, Strategic Communication
  Fall 2023 – Winter 2025 (4 quarters)
  Instructor: Prof. Heather Hether
  Contributed to course delivery, grading, and student support
• Teaching Assistant, Theories of Persuasion
  Winter 2022 – Fall 2022 (2 quarters)
  Instructors: Prof. Barbara Myslik & Prof. Supreet Mann
  Assisted with course management and grading
• Teaching Assistant, Family Communication
  Winter 2024
  Instructor: Prof. Steven Brunner
  Supported course delivery and grading
• Teaching Assistant, Adulthood and Aging
  Spring 2019 – Fall 2019 (3 terms)
  Instructor: Prof. Barbara Shebloski
  Assisted with course management and grading

· Peña, J., Tseng, J. T., Allen, C. L., Chen, V. H. H., Ibasco, G. C., & Koek, W. J. (2024). Intergroup contact in virtual reality: The influence of user anonymity-identifiability, social identity, and contact valence on prejudice. Presentation at the National Communication Association Conference 2024, New Orleans, LA, United States.

· Tseng, J. T., & Peña, J. (2022, May 26-30). Decreasing stereotypes toward older adults through embodiment of elderly video game protagonist and visualizing an older self.Presentation at the International Communication Association Conference 2022, Paris, France.

· Tseng, J. T., Peña, J., & Xue, H. (2021, November 19). Investigating the Effects of Information and Communication Technology Among Long-Distant Familial Intergenerational Dyads. Oral Presentation at the National Communication Association Conference 2021, Seattle, WA, United States.

· Tseng, J. T., Hsiao, H.-Y., Yu, P.-L., & Chen, Y. (2020, November 19-22). Impact of an Intergenerational Program with a Mobile Application on College Students' Attitudes toward Older Adults in Taiwan. Oral Presentation at the National Communication Association Conference 2020, Indianapolis, IN, United States.

· Hsiao, H. Y., Tseng, J. T., Chen, Y., Yu, P. J., Wu, S., & Chi, I. (2017, July). How Youth Adults Changed Attitudes toward aging and Health through IMTOP Volunteering Experience. Oral Presentation at 21st IAGG World Congress of Gerontology & Geriatrics, San Francisco, CA.

· Hsiao, H. Y., Chen, Y., Yu, P. J., Tseng, J. T., Wu, S., & Chi, I. (2017, Jan). Assessing the Effectiveness of Volunteering in a Diabetes Self-Management Technology Program on Youth's Health Awareness and Prevention of Chronic Illness. Oral Presentation at 2017 Annual Conference of the Society for Social Work and Research, New Orleans, LA.

• Teaching Assistant / Intern, Zhongshan Senior Living and Service Center
  September 2016 – December 2016 | Taipei, Taiwan
  Assisted in facility operations and intergenerational program support
  Supported teaching activities related to elder care services
• Teaching & Research Assistant, National Taiwan Normal University – Family Studies Research
  February 2016 – June 2016 | Taipei, Taiwan
  Supported research projects in family studies, including literature reviews and data entry
  Assisted in instructional activities and classroom support
• Data Management Intern, Down Syndrome Indiana
  January 2014 – June 2014 | Indianapolis, IN, U.S.
  Managed and organized assessment data for local healthcare contact reports
  Supported program evaluation and community outreach efforts
• Volunteer Management Intern, CICOA Aging & In-Home Solutions
  January 2014 – June 2014 | Indianapolis, IN, U.S.
  Maintained volunteer profiles and documentation
  Accompanied case workers on client visits to assess needs and services

• The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, inducted 2016
• The National Society for Leadership and Success, inducted 2013