Intergenerational solidarity in family influencing factors

The purpose of this study was to investigate gender differences of adult children in manifestations of emotional closeness and its influence on frequency of contacts with their parents, as well as impact of the socio-economic status of parents on manifesting solidarity by the adult child. The participants of the research were 410 adult children, aged 18–62, living in Latvia, and with at least one parent alive. The results of the research showed that significant differences exist in manifestations of emotional closeness and frequency of contacts with parents by gender of a child and the socio-economic status of parents. Adult daughters more often meet and contact their parents than sons do. Emotional closeness and frequency of contacts correlate with providing functional help to their parents. Normative obligations of adult children to show care and provide help to their parents have been stipulated by the legislation of Latvia; however, the results of the research showed that parents who are emotionally close to their children received significantly greater help and support.

Intergenerational Functional Solidarity in the Family: The Case of Latvia

Functional solidarity is one of the six components of intergenerational solidarity in the family. It includes both the provision and receipt of assistance between adult children and parents, as well as mutual financial and emotional support. Parents continue to help their children even after they have grown up and have their own families, and adult children support parents.

Excluding Forced Heirs due to a Lack of Personal Relationship with the Deceased in Spain in a Comparative Perspective

Forced heirship is considered a limit on the freedom of will of the deceased in favour of intergenerational solidarity. It involves that some relatives, usually descendants, have the right to claim a share of the deceased’s assets or estate. Although recognized in most EU jurisdictions, authors discuss about the need to regulate this institution taking into account new family models and societal changes. In fact, this debate has been intensified due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which showed that several elders died alone in nursing homes without family support, and part of their assets shall be reserved to their relatives. This paper analyses the legal framework of forced heirship in Spain and examines to which extent it is possible to exclude this right due to a lack of personal relationship with the beneficiaries in view of comparative models.

A Study on the Development and Validation of an Intergenerational Solidarity Measuring Tool Using Mixed Methods

Intergenerational conflicts caused by rapid socioeconomic changes have highlighted the importance of strengthening intergenerational solidarity, emphasizing the necessity of tool designed to measure intergenerational solidarity. This study developed a standardized intergenerational solidarity measurement tool using mixed methods. In the qualitative research stage, 27 main survey questions were derived through literature research, in-depth interviews, and content validity verification. In the quantitative research stage, based on the results of a survey of 1,109 adults, both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses of the questions were conducted, and the validity of the questions was confirmed. The analysis results were used to develop a 10-item measurement tool consisting of two factors: “recognition of intergenerational solidarity in the family” and “recognition of social intergenerational solidarity.” This study is the first attempt to develop a standardized measure of intergenerational solidarity, and it can be used for nationwide panel surveys in academic and policy research.

Big and Mini: A Promising Program to Link Generations to Cope With Social Isolation

Introduction Social isolation disproportionately affected older adults prior to and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. To help older adults cope with social isolation, a new program “Big and Mini” was created in April 2020 to link young and older adults together (matched through a custom website developed for this program) and to help increase social connectivity through weekly phone calls. Using a survey with both closed and open questions, this study evaluated participant feedback three months after the program was launched. Methods 63 Bigs (age 50+) and 53 Minis (age 18+) completed the survey. Stress compared to before COVID-19, social isolation, life satisfaction, intergenerational solidarity, and satisfaction with the program were measured for both the Big and Mini participants. Descriptive, bivariate correlation, group comparison and conventional content analyses were conducted. Results Results showed that 38.1% of Bigs and 37.7% of Minis felt higher levels of stress than before COVID-19. Both Bigs and Minis had medium levels of social isolation. They also reported high levels of satisfaction with life, satisfaction with the program, and intergenerational solidarity. Content analysis suggested that the reasons to join or expectations of the program were curiosity, friendship, mutually beneficial intergenerational connections, and coping with loneliness. Both Bigs and Minis reported benefits from the learning and sharing opportunities that the program offered. Conclusions The Big and Mini program offers a promising approach with mutual benefits for both Bigs and Minis. Strategies to improve the program and implications for other phone-based intergenerational programs are presented.

A Proposed Framework for Implementing a Rights-Based Approach to Gerontological Education and Training

This paper uses the nine general principles that underpin human rights (Non-discrimination, Respect, Dignity, Autonomy, Equality, Self-fulfillment and Personal development, Full and effective participation, Intergenerational solidarity, and Recognition of intrinsic value and worth as a human being) to frame a right’s based approach. This framework looks beyond the older person and the issues they are facing to the structure and culture of the society itself and the ways in which it is contributing to challenges. Using this lens, we will discuss how to develop definitions and standards of right’s- based education that are culturally and contextually appropriate, define right’s based competencies and recognize, that despite the universal rights of older persons, the implementation may need to be adjusted for unique sociocultural environments. . Lastly we will outline a strategy to identify and train multidisciplinary teaching and research teams using this proposed framework.

The Vertical and Horizontal Relations of Korean and Korean American Older Adults and Their Well-Being

Various relationships are important for the well-being of older adults. This session focuses on the vertical and horizontal relations of Korean and Korean American older adults and their well-being. The purpose of this session is to highlight the importance of intergenerational relations and social involvement of Korean and Korean American older adults. For vertical relations, two studies focus on intergenerational relationships and solidarity. The first study investigated whether intergenerational relationships and social support mediate the distressing consequences of life events, and how this improved the psychological well-being of Korean older adults. The second study developed a standardized measurement tool for intergenerational solidarity because intergenerational conflicts caused by rapid socioeconomic changes have highlighted the importance of strengthening intergenerational solidarity. The third and fourth studies focus on horizontal relations involving social isolation and social involvement. Guided by the double jeopardy hypothesis, the third study examined the health risks posed by the coexistence of social and linguistic isolation in older Korean Americans. As the opposite of social isolation, social involvement was an important factor of social integration of older adults. The fourth study examined volunteering as an example of social involvement by focusing on older adults’ volunteering on the social integration and role identity. Implications of this study suggest not only the importance of social involvement but also the intergenerational relationships on older adults’ well-being.