Marital History and Older Adults’ Relationships with Adult Children
2024
Marital History and Older Adults’ Relationships with Adult Children
Sample size: 1873
publication
Author Information
Author(s): Choi Won
Primary Institution: University of Texas at Austin
Hypothesis
The study examines how marital status and transitions affect older adults' relationships with their adult children.
Conclusion
Remarried older adults have less frequent contact and are less likely to name their children as social network members compared to continuously married older adults.
Supporting Evidence
- Remarried older adults were less likely to name a child network member.
- Remarried older adults reported less frequent contact with child network members.
- Remarried older adults were more likely to stop naming their children as network members over time.
- Previously married individuals were more likely to name a child network member.
- Previously married individuals reported greater emotional closeness to child network members.
Takeaway
Older people who have been remarried might not be as close to their kids as those who have been married the whole time.
Methodology
The study used retrospective marital histories and longitudinal egocentric network data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project.
Participant Demographics
Older adults with diverse marital experiences.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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