Table Of ContentINTERGENERATIONAL SOLIDARITY AND PLANS FOR CARE
IN LATER LIFE FAMILIES
By
JULIE K. NETZER
A DISSERTATION PRESENTED TO THE GRADUATE SCHOOL
OF THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT
OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
1994
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I gratefully acknowledge the encouragement and support
of many people, both professional and individual, in
completing my doctoral dissertation and graduate career.
While many deserve recognition, I am avoiding a tedious
narrative of every person who has touched my life. I
apologize to those I have not mentioned.
First, exceptional thanks and appreciation are due my
mentor and committee chair. Dr. Gary Lee. I am grateful
beyond measure for his never-ending patience, support,
encouragement, understanding, and tact. Without his help
and guidance, I would not be at this important point in my
life. He has freely given me his knowledge and expertise,
allowing me to grow and explore and become my own
sociologist, not what he thought I should be. Now it is my
turn to stand on my own two feet.
Second, my professors and colleagues at the University
of Florida deserve particular recognition. To my committee
members, Drs. John Henretta, Karen Seccombe, Hernan Vera,
Otto von Mering, and Barbara Zsembik, I am forever indebted
for the years of academic support, direction, counsel, and
good humor that they have given freely to me, as well as
nonacademic pleasures, fun, friendships, and comfort. I
.
sincerely appreciate all of their efforts on my behalf. I
feel as though my graduate education has been a true
collaborative venture and that I could not have assembled a
better group of professionals to assist me.
I also give special gratitude to Dr. Raymond Coward for
his continued support. He has been a treasured employer,
unselfishly sharing his expertise and knowledge, as he has
guided me along in my academic career. He has generously
provided me with the data, from a Center for Rural Health
and Aging project, for my dissertation and with multiple
opportunities to gain experience as a researcher. Now, we
initiate a fresh chapter in which he will become my mentor,
as I begin my postdoctoral fellowship. I look forward to
this new challenge and opportunity.
And, Ms. Nadine Gillis deserves a special word of
appreciation for her expert assistance in preparing this
manuscript and her endless patience and kindness, over the
years, in dealing with sometimes neurotic, anxious, and
irrational graduate students and others. She is a genuine
asset to the Department of Sociology.
Third, special thanks go to my informal support network
of dear friends, especially Terry Smith, Debi VanAusdale,
Tiffany Hogan, and Cheryl Amey-Brown. Chalk one up for
middle-aged women and sisterhood, indeed! There are many
times that I would have fallen without their love and
support
iii
Fourth, I thank my daughter, Maria. Her enthusiasm for
my academic pursuits and her belief in me have been an
inspiration and have kept me going when I became
discouraged. I am, as I have told her often, immeasurably
proud of her. As she pursues her own personal and academic
achievements, I hope she remembers that as long as she
believes in herself, anything is possible.
Lastly, I must give special recognition and express
deep appreciation to Oilman Marshall, who taught me perhaps
—
the most important lesson of all that of the mystery,
imagination, and renewal of soul. Indeed, for soulful
living, we need an end in order to have a beginning.
iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ii
LIST OF TABLES vii
LIST OF FIGURES viii
ABSTRACT
CHAPTERS
1 INTRODUCTION 1
Intergenerational Relations 7
Intergenerational Exchanges, Aid, and
Caregiving 9
Synthesis of the Two Literatures 11
Statement of the Problem 13
Organization of the Study 17
2 LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL
FRAMEWORK 20
Theoretical Framework 20
Historical Origin of the Theory of Family
Solidarity 21
Conceptual Framework of the Family
Solidarity Model 26
Literature Review, Hypotheses, and Proposed
General Model 34
Functional Solidarity 34
Associational Solidarity 39
Affectional Solidarity 42
Normative Solidarity 46
Structural Solidarity 52
Sociodemographic Factors 60
3 METHODS 78
Sampling and Procedures 78
Measurement of Variables and Concepts 84
Outcome Variables 87
V
Predictor Variables 92
Statistical Analyses 102
4 RESULTS 107
Bivariate Correlations 107
Functional Solidarity 112
Associational Solidarity 112
Affectional Solidarity 112
Normative Solidarity 113
Structural Solidarity 114
Sociodemographic Factors 116
Path Analysis 123
5 DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS 147
Overview of the Problem 147
Discussion 149
Study Limitations and Recommendations for
Future Research 165
Conclusion 172
APPENDIX: KANSAS ELDERLY TELEPHONE STUDY 178
REFERENCES 199
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH 212
vi
LIST OF TABLES
Table E^ge
1 Six Elements of Family Solidarity, with
Nominal Definitions and Examples of
Empirical Indicators 28
—
2 Factor Loadings for Affectional Solidarity 95
3 Reliability Correlation Matrix for Affectional
Solidarity Scale 96
4 Factor Loadings for Normative Solidarity 98
5 Reliability Correlation Matrix for Normative
Solidarity Scale 99
6 Means, Standard Deviations, and Ranges
or Codings for Study Variables 103
7 The Matrix of Zero-Order Pearson Product-
Moment Correlation Coefficients (List-Wise
Deletion) 108
8 Effects of Predictor Variables on Plans for
Care 125
9 Effects of Predictor Variables on Parental
Aid Given to Focal Child 131
10 Effects of Predictor Variables on Parental
Aid Received from Focal Child 136
11 Effects of Predictor Variables on
Associational Solidarity 140
12 Effects of Predictor Variables on
Affectional Solidarity 143
13 Effects of Predictor Variables on
Normative Solidarity 145
vii
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure Eage
1 Elements of Revised Family Solidarity Model.. 33
2 Proposed Family Solidarity Model 35
viii
Abstract of Dissertation Presented to the Graduate School
of the University of Florida in Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
INTERGENERATIONAL SOLIDARITY AND PLANS FOR CARE
IN LATER LIFE FAMILIES
By
Julie K. Netzer
December 1994
Chairman: Gary R. Lee, Ph.D.
Major Department: Sociology
This study investigates how factors, derived from the
theory of family solidarity, influence the plans that older
parents have for care in later life. The theory proposes
several dimensions that are crucial to intergenerational
solidarity in later life families. In this study, these are
(1) the intergenerational exchange of aid that older parents
experience (functional solidarity); (2) frequency of contact
between older parents and their adult children
(associational solidarity); (3) the affective sentiments
that older parents attach to their relations with children
(affectional solidarity); (4) older parents' filial
responsibility expectations (normative solidarity); and (5)
older parents' opportunity structures for interaction
through family size, parental health, and proximity to
children (structural solidarity). A third component is
added to functional solidarity as the major outcome of
ix
family solidarity. This element is termed plans for care
and is defined as older parents' expectations for assistance
or caregiving from children, in the event of illness or
infirmity. A number of sociodemographic characteristics,
such as age, gender, race, marital status, area of
residence, income, and education are also included.
A model is developed regarding direct and indirect
effects of these dimensions of family solidarity upon older
parents' plans for care. The data used to test the model
are collected from a sample of 362 Kansas parents, aged 65
and older. Scales are developed to measure associational,
affectional, and normative solidarity using factor analysis
where necessary. Statistical analyses also include
correlations and path analyses.
Contrary to our hypotheses, intergenerational exchanges
of aid have no effects on older parents' plans for care.
However, normative solidarity, being employed, associational
solidarity, and family size have direct and positive effects
on plans for care. Proximity to the focal child indirectly
affects older parents' plans for care through associational
solidarity. Relationships between other predictor variables
in the model and the intergenerational exchange of aid are
also discussed. The study concludes that both proximity and
associational solidarity are key elements in family
solidarity and that older parents' plans for care are
independent from other forms of functional solidarity but.
X
