Material inheritance constitutes a challenge for families in later life. Yet inheritance decisions, the underlying reasons and motivations and patterns of family interaction have barely been studied. Research suggests that motivations fluctuate on a continuum between unconditional donation (altruism, normative obligation) and conditional donation (strategic exchange, reciprocity). However, the literature emphasises the need for further research into the motivations that constitute this continuum and on the patterns of family interaction attached to them. This exploratory study therefore sets out to examine the motivations and patterns of family interaction in the process of transmitting material inheritances. Using the critical incidents technique (CIT) 55 usable incidents were collected from 43 participants (7 donors, 16 heirs and 20 professionals). Results of this study suggest four motivations: (i) altruism driven by family solidarity; (ii) equity centred on the equal division of possessions in order to maintain family unity; (iii) strategy focused on reciprocity (I give you if you give me); (iv) egoism based on selfinterest. Findings contribute to a better knowledge of the factors that promote and prevent family problems over inheritance.
The construct of family integrity denotes that older persons' attainment of ego integrity is linked to family relationships. Family integrity is the positive outcome (overall satisfaction with life); disconnection (dissatisfaction) and alienation (estrangement) are the negative outcomes. This study focuses on elderly people who are primary caregivers of relatives with dementia, and examines their experience of events related to that role, which are perceived as being of influence on their sense of family integrity. The sample included 26 participants. Open-ended interviews were conducted. The interview transcripts were submitted to content analysis. The main findings suggest that caregivers who experience family integrity tend to embrace the new life demand associated with the caregiving role, while those tending towards disconnection struggle to maintain their pre-existing goals, and those experiencing alienation tend to feel helpless. Caring for a relative with dementia has an impact on multiple aspects of family life.
A transmissão da herança material é um acontecimento expectável na vida da família que se repercute na qualidade e dinâmica das suas relações no fim da vida. Porém, é um tema pouco abordado na literatura psicológica e familiar. Este artigo apresenta um estudo exploratório sobre a transmissão da herança material, abordando-a a partir da perspectiva do ciclo da vida familiar. Partimos de entrevistas semi-estruturadas aplicadas a três focus group compostos por doadores, herdeiros e profissionais que intervêm com idosos, para compreender as suas vivências em torno da herança material. Os resultados sugerem que a transmissão da herança material emerge como uma tarefa normativa do ciclo da vida familiar, associada a vicissitudes do desenvolvimento da geração idosa. A tarefa conjuga condições sócio-económicas, dinâmicas e processos familiares e confronta a família com desafios relacionais e emocionais significativos. A sua resolução contribui para o alcance da integridade individual e das relações familiares na fase final da vida.
Material inheritance is an important theme in old age, tied up to the life story and with shaping the manner in which one will be remembered. This study adopts the self-confrontation method to explore the meanings and affects that elderly persons attach to the material inheritance, taking into consideration their experiences both as heirs and donors. The sample comprises five participants (80Á 95 years). Main findings suggest a process of transmitting material inheritance characterized by the creation of a material legacy throughout life and from both positions (donor and heir); resolution related to receiving inheritances (heir position); and transferral as a donor later on in life. This process seems to play an affective role at individual (self-autonomy vs. lost love) and familial (union vs. isolation) levels. The transmission of material inheritance represents a lifelong task that connects past, present, and future and links generations.
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