Intergenerational interdependence: Models of help exchange in mid-life. Individual and couple analyses
Abstract
This paper identifies and examines some of the antecedents of intergenerational interdependence, the exchange of assistance, among two or more generations. A secondary analysis of data from 84 intact married couples in Indiana and Michigan was used to investigate some of the factors that influence intergenerational interdependence. The data were gathered as reports from middle generation couples regarding the help they received from and gave to both their parents and their children. Both individual and couple models derived from Social Exchange Theory were analyzed. The major findings supported the norm of reciprocity among generations. That is, help received from parents can positively predict help given to parents, and help given to children can positively predict help received from children. The results also revealed that an intergenerational transmission of helping patterns may play an important role in the two-way exchanges between ascendent and descendent kin within the scope of three generations. Implications of the findings are discussed and future research directions are suggested for this important area.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Lewis, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Families & family life|Personal relationships|Sociology
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