You are my favourite! Parent–child relationships and satisfaction in later life in Italy

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-17
Author(s):  
Cecilia Tomassini ◽  
Elisa Cisotto ◽  
Giulia Cavrini
Keyword(s):  
Adult Children ◽  
Structural Characteristics ◽  
Intergenerational Transfers ◽  
Positive Association ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Frequency Of Contact ◽  
High Satisfaction ◽  
Structural Indicators ◽  
Parent Child Relationships ◽  
Parent Child

Abstract Intergenerational transfers measured in several currencies (e.g. co-residence, contact, proximity and support) have been always considered important indicators for family solidarity. Most of the studies on intergenerational transfers examine the structural characteristics of such exchanges (as distance, frequency, type, motives), emphasising the potential positive association between the structure and the quality of parent–child relationships. Additionally, while most surveys include questions on the structural indicators of family exchanges, it is still uncommon for them to contain assessments of the relationships between parents and their adult children as well. Using the Italian 2009 Family Survey, this study analyses the satisfaction of parent–child relationships for parents aged 65 and older. After examining the association of such a variable with the structural indicators of intergenerational exchanges (frequency of contact), we explored the individual factors associated with satisfaction of relationships with a child using multilevel multinomial models. Overall, older Italian parents report high satisfaction in their relationships with their adult children. Additionally, a not strong, but statistically significant association between structure (contact) and satisfaction was found. This study shows how high satisfaction of relationships with children is positively associated with being a mother and being married and negatively associated with bad health status. Some of the variables considered have different impacts between the sexes of parents. Additionally, a better appreciation of relationships with daughters compared to sons was found, especially for fathers.

Reciprocity in material and time support within parent–child relationships during late-life widowhood

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (8) ◽  
pp. 1668-1689 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. M. ISHERWOOD ◽  
M. A. LUSZCZ ◽  
D. S. KING
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Primary Source ◽  
Late Life ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Informal Support ◽  
Instrumental Support ◽  
Spousal Loss ◽  
Parent Child Relationships ◽  
Parent Child

ABSTRACTThe exchange of informal support within the social network plays a vital role in enabling older adults to remain living in the community as they age. Following spousal loss in later life, the exchange of instrumental support is of particular importance in order to meet the practical and financial needs of the bereaved spouse. Adult children are typically the primary source of social contact and informal support for older widowed adults following bereavement. However, very little is known of the longitudinal changes that occur in the exchange of instrumental support with children during the transition to late-life widowhood. Trajectories and predictors of change in material and time support exchange in parent–child relationships were modelled over a 15-year period for 1,266 older adults (mean age 76.7 years). Widowed older adults received more material and time support from their children than their married peers. Proximity to children, age at spousal loss, self-rated health, cognitive functioning and income were predictive of levels of exchanged instrumental support in late-life widowhood. Short-term reciprocity appears to continue in parent–child relationships during late-life widowhood. The implications of the findings for policy and practice are discussed, including the role of children in the support networks of older widowed adults and the potential difficulties faced by those who do not have access to informal avenues of support.

An Examination of the Developmental Impact of Continuing Destructive Parental Conflict on Young Adult Children

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Fozard ◽  
Peter Gubi
Keyword(s):  
Young Adult ◽  
Adult Children ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Role Reversal ◽  
Parental Conflict ◽  
Growing Up ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Parent Child Relationships ◽  
Parent Child

This research investigates the impact of destructive parental conflict in continuously married parents, on young adult children. Four trainee or practicing counselors, who had personal experience of growing up in families in which there was continuing destructive parental conflict, were interviewed. The data were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The findings resulted in four superordinate themes: feelings of loss, impact to family structure, trauma associated with the conflict, and impacts to personal and professional development, within which were 12 subordinate themes. Short-term impacts focused on mental health and self-esteem, and loss of security at home. Long-term impacts focused on future relationships, defensiveness, parent–child role-reversal, impacts to career, trauma, and parent–child relationships. The results demonstrate the necessity for support to be made available to children who are exposed to destructive parental conflict in parents who remain married, as well as to the adult children of continuing destructive parental conflict.

Families as niches during communism in East Germany: Consequences for parent–child relationships during times of change

2008 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 412-421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olaf Reis
Keyword(s):  
Adult Children ◽  
Ecological Niche ◽  
Narrative Interviews ◽  
Government Institutions ◽  
The Family ◽  
East German ◽  
Communist Government ◽  
Log Linear ◽  
Parent Child Relationships ◽  
Parent Child

This study brings together two main theoretical traditions in order to better understand how parent–child relationships are influenced by the societal conditions around the family. The concept of the ecological niche has been used to describe the way in which East German families dealt with government institutions during communism, while we used the concept of individuation to describe relationships between parents and their children. Using a model predicting individuation within a family we demonstrate that the type of niche predicts individuation even after intrafamilial variables, such as the level of parent–child conflict, agency and time of the interaction have been controlled for. By employing hierarchical log-linear techniques to analyze narrative interviews of parents and their adult children from 34 families, we found that families who were more balanced in their interactions with communist government institutions were also more balanced in their parent–child individuations.

Older people's relationships with their adult children in multicultural Australia: a comparison of Australian-born people and Chinese immigrants

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (10) ◽  
pp. 2103-2127 ◽  
Author(s):  
XIAOPING LIN ◽  
CHRISTINA BRYANT ◽  
JENNIFER BOLDERO ◽  
BRIONY DOW
Keyword(s):  
Adult Children ◽  
Filial Piety ◽  
Chinese Immigrants ◽  
Demographic Variables ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Conflict Model ◽  
Older Chinese ◽  
To Receive ◽  
Parent Child Relationships ◽  
Parent Child

ABSTRACTAgainst the background of population ageing and increasing cultural diversity in many Western countries, the study examined differences and similarities between Australian-born people and Chinese immigrants in their relationships with adult children. The specific research questions were: (a) are there differences between these groups in the nature of parent–child relationships; and (b) if there were differences, did these differences reflect the Confucian concept of filial piety among older Chinese immigrants. The solidarity–conflict model and the concept of ambivalence were used to quantify parent–child relationships. Data from 122 community-dwelling people aged 65 and over (60 Australian-born and 62 Chinese-born people) were collected using standardised interviews. There were significant differences between the two groups for all relationship dimensions except associative solidarity. Compared to Australian participants, Chinese participants were more likely to live with their children. However, when they did not live with their children, they lived further away. They were also more likely to receive, but less likely to provide, instrumental help. Finally, they reported higher levels of normative solidarity, conflict and ambivalence, and lower levels of affectual and consensual solidarity. The differences in solidarity dimensions persisted when socio-demographic variables were controlled for. The study revealed complex differences in the nature of older parent–child relationships between Australian-born people and Chinese immigrants. Some of these differences, such as more prevalent multigenerational living among older Chinese immigrants, likely reflect the strong influence of filial piety among this group. However, differences in other dimensions, such as lower levels of consensual solidarity, might be associated with the Chinese participants’ experience as immigrants. This study also highlights the usefulness of the solidarity–conflict model as a theoretical framework to understand the nature of parent–child relationships among older Chinese immigrants.

scholarly journals Chinese Parent-Child Relationships in Later Life in the Context of Social Inequalities

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom Emery ◽  
Pearl Dykstra ◽  
Maja Djundeva
Keyword(s):  
Social Inequalities ◽  
Panel Study ◽  
Multinomial Logit Model ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Chinese Family ◽  
Parent Child Relationship ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Emotional Strain ◽  
Parent Child Relationships ◽  
Parent Child

This paper examines how parent-child relationships vary against the backdrop of socio-economic inequalities evident in China. China is both an increasingly unequal and rapidly ageing country. Understanding how the relationships that Older Chinese have with their children are associated with social inequalities, is therefore of paramount importance. We do this by examining the effect of socio-economic indicators of the parent and child on their relationship in a multilevel, multinomial logit model of parent-child dyads using data from the Chinese Family Panel Study. First, the relationships we observe are not unidimensional and display complex patterns which deviate heavily from a ‘strong versus weak’ description of family ties. The results do not support a family displacement perspective of parent-child relationships but instead suggest that educational and financial resources facilitate support that is associated with greater emotional closeness and negates the need for support which places an emotional strain on the parent-child relationship.

scholarly journals EXAMINING THE NATURE AND ROLE OF FAMILY SYSTEM INTERACTIONS AND ELDER FAMILY FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S383-S384
Author(s):  
Marlene Stum
Keyword(s):  
Adult Children ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Family System ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Fair Use ◽  
Family Processes ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Financial Exploitation ◽  
Parent Child

Abstract Guided by Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Theory, this paper contributes insight into family processes associated with elder family financial exploitation (EFFE). Processes involve “everyday” reciprocal interactions in the family microsystem between and among elder victims, perpetrator family members (i.e. adult children), and involved non-perpetrator family members (i.e. adult children, in-laws). Qualitative data from a purposeful sample of 28 non-perpetrator/non-victim family members who had experienced EFFE were thematically coded and analyzed. The findings suggest eight intergenerational family processes are relevant for understanding EFFE: a) parent/child resource exchange patterns, b) negotiating a “fair” use of resources, c) quality of parent/child and sibling relationships, d) family of origin functioning and dynamics (e.g. trust, respect, closeness), e) communication patterns, f) alliances and taking sides, g) role negotiation, and h) physical interactions. Consistent definitions and quality measures relevant for parent/adult child relationships over the life course and in later life developmental stages are needed next steps.

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