Early-Life Parent–Child Relationships and Adult Children’s Support of Unpartnered Parents in Later Life

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.

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

Ageing and Society ◽

10.1017/s0144686x15000537 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 36 (8) ◽

pp. 1668-1689 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

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.

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

10.31235/osf.io/f35nh ◽

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.

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Family relationships in childhood and common psychiatric disorders in later life: systematic review of prospective studies

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/bjp.bp.107.042515 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 194 (5) ◽

pp. 392-398 ◽

Cited By ~ 139

Author(s):

Scott Weich ◽

Jacoby Patterson ◽

Richard Shaw ◽

Sarah Stewart-Brown

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Psychiatric Disorders ◽

Family Relationships ◽

Suicide Attempts ◽

Childhood Adversity ◽

Later Life ◽

Post Traumatic Stress ◽

Post Traumatic ◽

Parent Child Relationships ◽

Parent Child

BackgroundMost evidence for associations between childhood adversity and adult mental illness is retrospective.AimsTo evaluate prospective evidence of associations between poor parent–child relationships and common psychiatric disorders in later life.MethodSystematic review of studies published between 1970 and 2008 including: (a) more than 100 participants; (b) measures of relationships in the home during childhood; (c) at least 10 years between assessment of exposures; and (d) measures of anxiety, depression, suicide, suicidal ideation or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Analysis was by narrative synthesis.ResultsTwenty-three papers were identified reporting data from 16 cohorts. Abusive relationships predicted depression, anxiety and PTSD. Maternal emotional unavailability in early life predicted suicide attempts in adolescence. Results of studies investigating less severe relationship problems were suggestive but not conclusive of causal association, due partly to methodological heterogeneity.ConclusionsGiven the prevalence and disabling nature of common psychiatric problems, these studies highlight the need to minimise harm associated with dysfunctional parent–child relationships.

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The Role of Family During Older Adults’ Living Transitions: Implications for Helping Professionals and Family Counselors

The Family Journal ◽

10.1177/1066480718809418 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 75-83 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

J. Scott Branson ◽

Ashley Branson ◽

Kathryn Pozniak ◽

Juanita Tookes ◽

Maya Schmidt

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Life Span ◽

Assisted Living ◽

Later Life ◽

Life Transitions ◽

Assisted Living Facilities ◽

Family Counselors ◽

Counseling Interventions ◽

Parent Child Relationships ◽

Parent Child

Adults aged 65 and over comprise approximately 15% of the U.S. population, yet research regarding their experiences during later life transitions remains relatively scant. Our aim in conducting this qualitative study was to better understand relational, developmental, and family life cycle factors that older adults identify as impacting their perceptions of aging and wellness in the context of transitioning into assisted living facilities. In-depth interviews with six participants revealed that attachment across the life span and historic parent–child relationships substantially impacted participants’ perceptions and experiences during later life transitions. These findings support the importance of systemic counseling interventions targeted toward strengthening parent–child relationships across the life span. We conclude with implications for systemic counselors.

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The effects of parent–child relationships on later life mental health status in two national birth cohorts

Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology ◽

10.1007/s00127-012-0481-1 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 47 (11) ◽

pp. 1707-1715 ◽

Cited By ~ 43

Author(s):

Z. Morgan ◽

T. Brugha ◽

T. Fryers ◽

S. Stewart-Brown

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Health Status ◽

Later Life ◽

Mental Health Status ◽

Birth Cohorts ◽

Parent Child Relationships ◽

Parent Child

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Chinese parent-child relationships in later life in the context of social inequalities

Zeitschrift für Familienforschung ◽

10.3224/zff.v31i1.06 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 31 (1-2019) ◽

pp. 105-124

Author(s):

Thomas 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 parentchild 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.

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