TY - JOUR
T1 - The relationship of intergenerational reciprocity of aid to the morale of older parents
T2 - Equity and exchange theory comparisons
AU - McCulloch, B. J.
PY - 1990/1/1
Y1 - 1990/1/1
N2 - Information concerning the relationship of intergenerational helping to older adult well-being is ambiguous. Intergenerational reciprocity was investigated using two competing theoretical perspectives, social exchange and equity propositions. Social exchange propositions predict a linear relationship between intergenerational aid and older parent morale, with higher morale positively related to giving or receiving more intergenerational help. Equity propositions predict that the intergenerational aid, morale relationship will be curvilinear, with higher older parent morale related to balanced exchanges of intergenerational aid. Neither theoretical perspective was supported by the data. Intergenerational aid was not useful in explaining variance in older parent morale regardless of the operational definition of intergenerational aid. These results provide support for earlier studies that conclude the amount of help exchanged within families does not affect the well-being of older family members.
AB - Information concerning the relationship of intergenerational helping to older adult well-being is ambiguous. Intergenerational reciprocity was investigated using two competing theoretical perspectives, social exchange and equity propositions. Social exchange propositions predict a linear relationship between intergenerational aid and older parent morale, with higher morale positively related to giving or receiving more intergenerational help. Equity propositions predict that the intergenerational aid, morale relationship will be curvilinear, with higher older parent morale related to balanced exchanges of intergenerational aid. Neither theoretical perspective was supported by the data. Intergenerational aid was not useful in explaining variance in older parent morale regardless of the operational definition of intergenerational aid. These results provide support for earlier studies that conclude the amount of help exchanged within families does not affect the well-being of older family members.
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U2 - 10.1093/geronj/45.4.S150
DO - 10.1093/geronj/45.4.S150
M3 - Article
C2 - 2365976
AN - SCOPUS:0025315608
VL - 45
SP - S150-S155
JO - Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences
JF - Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences
SN - 0022-1422
IS - 4
ER -