Intergenerational Relationship Quality Across Three Generations

Overview

Journal J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci

Specialties Geriatrics
Psychology
Social Sciences

Date 2012 May 26

PMID 22628478

Citations 29

Authors

Kira S Birditt

Lauren A Tighe

Karen L Fingerman

Steven H Zarit

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: Studies of intergenerational relationship quality often include one or two generations. This study examined within-family differences and similarities or transmission of positive and negative relationship quality across three generations.

Method: Participants included 633 middle-aged individuals (G2; 52% women, ages 40-60 years), 592 of their offspring (G3; 53% daughters; ages 18-41 years), and 337 of their parents (i.e., grandparents; G1; 69% women; ages 59-96 years).

Results: Multilevel models revealed differences and similarities in relationship quality across generations. The oldest generation (G1) reported greater positive and less negative quality relationships than the middle (G2) and the younger (G3) generations. There was limited evidence of transmission. Middle-aged respondents who reported more positive and less negative ties with their parents (G1) reported more positive and less negative ties with their own children (G3). Grandmother (G1) reports of more positive relationship quality were associated with G3 reports of more positive relationship quality with G2.

Discussion: Findings are consistent with the intergenerational stake hypothesis and only partially consistent with the theory of intergenerational transmission. Overall, this study suggests that there is greater within-family variability than similarities in how family members feel about one another.

Citing Articles

I love you no matter what: Negative relationship quality and daily encounters in the parent-child tie and their implications for daily mood across the lifespan.

Stephenson J, Turkelson A, Fingerman K, Birditt K Fam Process. 2025; 64(1):e13094.

PMID: 39779461 PMC: 11711072. DOI: 10.1111/famp.13094.

Intergenerational support, activities of daily living, and the interaction on psychological distress in older adults.

Zheng J, Xu J, Wu Y, Xu S, Gao Y Front Psychol. 2024; 15:1454662.

PMID: 39703877 PMC: 11655216. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1454662.

Recent Parental Death and Relationship Qualities Between Midlife Adults and Their Grown Children.

Kim Y, Kim K, Boerner K, Birditt K, Zarit S, Fingerman K J Marriage Fam. 2024; 81(3):616-630.

PMID: 38463137 PMC: 10923572. DOI: 10.1111/jomf.12549.

Grieving a Grandparent: The Importance of Gender and Multigenerational Relationships.

Stokes J, Kim Y, Kim K, Fingerman K J Marriage Fam. 2024; 83(3):754-768.

PMID: 38282764 PMC: 10817756. DOI: 10.1111/jomf.12750.

Functional limitation and happiness among older adults: the multiple mediating role of intergenerational support and intergenerational relationship.

Zhou A, Song Y, Li X, Hu B, Chen Y, Cui P Front Public Health. 2023; 11:1249216.

PMID: 37905237 PMC: 10613474. DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1249216.

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