Personal and Family Adjustment in Later Life

• Published in: Journal of marriage and family Vol. 45; no. 1; pp. 57 - 73
• Main Author: Quinn, William H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Minneapolis, Minn National Council on Family Relations 01-02-1983
• Subjects: Adjustment/Adjustments; Adult children; Affection; Elder/Elders/Elderly; Family relations; Family/Families; Gerontologists; Gerontology; Marital status; Morale; Older adults; Parents; Personal/Personalization; Wellbeing
• DOI: 10.2307/351295
• EISSN: 1741-3737
• ISSN: 0022-2445

Most prior research on relationships of older parents and adult children, as well as their impact on the lives of the elderly, has examined quantitative variables such as frequency of interaction or residential proximity. The primary purpose of this study was to develop and test a theoretical model of qualitative dimensions in these relationships. Furthermore, the impact of these dimensions on the personal and family adjustment of the aged member was assessed. Data were collected from interviews with 171 parents 65 years or older, using a randomized multistage compact design, and from 143 mailed questionnaires returned by adult children. A path analysis procedure was performed on the data, showing the model to account for 36.4% of the total variance. The strongest predictor of the dependent variable, the psychological well-being of older parents, was health. The second strongest predictor was quality of the relationship. Moving backward in the recursive model, affection and communication positively influenced the quality of the relationship, filial responsibility held by the child had a positive impact on affection and communication, and filial expectations by the parent had a negative influence on communication. Several additional predictor variables representing the condition and life circumstances of aged parents indicated some moderate interrelationships and indirect effects on the parent-child interaction and psychological well-being of aged parents. Based on the results of the original model, a reconceptualized model is proposed to provide direction for future study of these intergenerational family relationships.