Ingrid Arnet Connidis

Sibling Ties in Later Life A Social Network Analysis

Using data from a study of 678 adults aged 55 and older, this article examines the role of siblings in four social support networks: confidants, companions, emotional support, and instrumental support, with a particular focus on the impact of gender and marital status on their role. Two types of analyses are used: probability analysis to determine the likelihood of specifying a given tie as a network member and compositional analysis of network membership. Three models of support (hierarchical compensatory, task specificity, functional specificity of relationships) are used to discuss the significant results regarding the probability of including a sibling in each network and the dominance of siblings in the overall composition of each network. The single, especially women, the childless, and widowed women stand out as having particularly involved sibling ties. Greatest support is found for the functional specificity model and for the value of combining probability and compositional analyses.

Closeness, Confiding, and Contact Among Siblings in Middle and Late Adulthood

The authors examine the impact of gender, marital status, and parent status on emotional closeness, confiding, and contact among siblings in middle and later life. Using data from a multistage quota sample that includes 528 respondents aged 55 and older who have one or more siblings, characteristics of both the respondent and the sibling or sibling network are studied. Separate analyses are conducted for the entire sibling network and for the sibling of greatest closeness, confiding, and contact. Women and respondents with sisters, the single (never married), and the childless tend to have more active sibling ties than their counterparts. Several control variables (number of siblings, geographic proximity, age, and education) are also significant. Emotional closeness to siblings is an important factor related to confiding and contact. Findings are discussed in the context of socially proscribed familial obligation and emotional attachment as bases for involvement with siblings.

Integrating qualitative and quantitative methods in survey research on aging: An assessment

The benefits of triangulation have gained widespread acceptance and several notable studies have taken a combined-methods approach. However, to date there have been few analyses of attempts to extend survey research to include a qualitative component. This paper reports on what is essentially a survey research design in which three types of interviewing are triangulated: close-ended questions in a structured interview; open-ended questions embedded in the interview; and follow-up conversational interviews employing open-ended questions. This combined-methods approach is assessed in relation to elaboration of answers, interpretation and context, discovery in the field, and divergence. The author concludes that each source of data, as well as the divergence in findings among them, makes a valuable contribution to the research process.

Reasons for and perceptions of childlessness among older persons: Exploring the impact of marital status and gender

Abstract Using a subsample of 281 childless respondents aged 55 and over, we examine reported reasons for being childless and subjective childless status (self-definition of childlessness as a matter of choice or circumstance). The primary reason for childlessness among never married individuals is being single while the central reasons for childlessness among the ever-married are physiological factors, age, and fate. However, the reported reasons for childlessness vary within both marital status groups depending on whether respondents define their childlessness as a matter of choice or circumstance. Indeed, marital status and gender appear to be more closely related to childless status than are the actual reasons given for childlessness. The results show that the interaction between gender and marital status is a significant predictor of childless status, with widowed women most likely to define themselves as childless by circumstance.

Social Support in Older Age: Assessing the Impact of Marital and Parent Status

In this study we examine the impact of parent status and marital status on (1) the foundations of social support networks and (2) who one turns to if help is required with activities of daily living. Data are taken from structured interviews with 678 community-dwelling persons aged 55 and over in London, Canada. This sample overrepresents the childless, single (never married), and divorced, thus ensuring adequate numbers in each category for data analysis. Our findings indicate that marital status is more influential than parent status regarding differences in the foundations of social support. However, for more specific forms of assistance, the divorced and single are more likely than the married, and the childless are more likely than parents to rely on formal support and paid help and less likely to rely on family. As well, for both marital and parent status, there are significant interactions with gender.

The Impact of Family Composition on Providing Help to Older Parents A Study of Employed Adults

Using a subsample from the Canadian Aging and Research Network (CARNET) Work and Family Survey of 1,015 persons who provide at least 1 hour of help weekly to one or both parents, the impact of family composition on providing help to older parents is examined. Specifically, three research questions are addressed: (1) Do family composition characteristics affect the number of hours of help provided to a parent or parents? (2) does the likelihood of being the sole provider of help differ according to these characteristics? and (3) does the likelihood of being the primary helper vary based on family composition? Family composition variables include gender and marital status of the respondent, number of brothers and sisters, the number of children age 20 and older and age 12 and under, and the gender of the parent. Several family composition variables are significant predictors, including number of sisters, number of brothers, and gender in interaction with marital status and number of siblings.

Getting out of the House: The Effect of Childlessness on Social Participation and Companionship in Later Life

Using data from a Canadian national sample, participation in three activities - going to public places, travel, and going on outings - in a sample of 4,258 respondents aged 55 and over is examined. OLS regression results indicate that the childless go to public places and travel as frequently as parents and go on outings more frequently than parents. Significant differences are also found for gender, marital status, health, and education. Logistic regression results indicate that the childless are more likely to seek companionship with friends and other relatives than are parents. However, gender and marital status are more often significant predictors of source of companionship than is parent status. We conclude that the childless negotiate unique social participation networks which ensure social participation outside the home.

Permanent Childlessness: Perceived Advantages and Disadvantages Among Older Persons

This study examines the perceptions of childlessness reported by 287 childless respondents aged 55 and over who were part of a larger study (n - 678) on aging and social support. Sixty-seven per cent (n = 193) report advantages to childlessness and 64 per cent (n = 185) report disadvantages. Qualitative data show that key perceived advantages are fewer worries or problems, financial benefits, greater freedom, and career flexibility. The major disadvantages are lack of companionship/being alone/loneliness, lack of support and care when older, and missing the experience of parenthood. Bivariate and multivariate analyses of the effects that gender, marital status, age, and childless status (childless by choice or by circumstance) have on the perceived advantages and disadvantages of having no children show that there is variability in perceived advantages only. When we compare specific perceived advantages and disadvantages to related experience, only some perceived benefits (financial advantage) are associated with actual experience. Findings are discussed in the context of actually experiencing costs and benefits versus sharing widely-held beliefs about childlessness.

The construct validity of the life satisfaction index a and affect balance scales: A serendipitous analysis

This paper addresses the problem of construct validity in measures of life satisfaction and well-being through an analysis of unsolicited comments made by respondents during face-to-face interviews. This serendipitous examination focuses on two established indicators: The Life Satisfaction Index A and the Affect Balance Scale. The observations volunteered by respondents cast doubt upon the construct validity of a number of the items in each of the scales as measures of the subjective states they purport to index. The findings indicate avenues for improving existing scales but the author concludes that greater use of qualitative approaches may be the most constructive solution.

The Subjective Experience of Aging: Correlates of Divergent Views.

A stratified random sample of 400 community-dwelling older persons were asked whether they like or dislike anything about being their age and if they have any worries about growing older. The results of multivariate analysis show significant relationships between the dependent variables and several respondent charaderistics including age, subjective health, expectations of older age, and gender. A negative view of aging appears to be associated with experiencing age-related declines. Overall, despite some diversity, the respondents tend to hold a positive view of old age that is coupled with a realistic appreciation of the shortcomings this stage of life may bring.