Does It Matter Anymore? A Study of Childhood Characteristics and Separated Families' Contacts in Adulthood

Abstract

Objective The study aimed to explore which factors influence intergenerational contacts between adult children and their separated parents, focusing on childhood characteristics. Background Children from separated families have less frequent contact with their parents compared with peers from intact families. Yet few studies have examined the heterogeneity in intergenerational contact within separated families. Methods Data were based on Swedish Level of Living Survey. Using linear probability model, the first analysis showed that intergenerational contacts vary depending on family type (n = 2,500). The study then explored variations in contacts within separated families (n = 472). Results The findings show that previous frequent contacts with the nonresident parent were positively correlated with current father–child contacts. Conclusion Separation has long‐term consequences on intergenerational contacts, and these are partly predicted by childhood characteristics. Implications The findings suggest, for example, that alternate living (i.e., children living spending equal time with their parents after separation) may contribute to a more equal distribution of the contact between children and their separated parents even in adulthood and help narrow the gender gap in intergenerational contacts within separated families.

Weakened parent–child ties and the well-being of older divorced parents

“…Divorce is associated with conflict, not only between parents themselves but also between parents and children (Yu et al 2010). Moreover, there is evidence that these negative associations carry over into adulthood (Albertini and Garriga 2011;Amato and Afifi 2006;Danielsbacka and Tanskanen 2018;De Graaf and Fokkema 2007;Hartnett, Fingerman, and Birditt 2018;Kalmijn 2013;Palmtag 2021). Adult children see their parents less often, are less close to them, and receive less support when parents divorce during childhood than when parents remain married.…”