Impact of family structure on the quality of life of older adults, its stability, and gender differences in the European context

Abstract

The most important roles in later life – those of parent, spouse, and grandparent – are all located within a family. Thus, the family structure and availability of close relatives is an important predictor of the subjective quality of life (QoL). At the same time, the current demographic, economic, and cultural changes cause the increasing importance of intergenerational relationships within a broader family structure. This research examines the association between various forms of individual family structure and the subjective QoL in the European context, including its gender differences. Whilst the role of having a partner is beneficial only for men, most of the associations are similar regardless of gender. The relationship between family structure and the subjective QoL is generally stable but rather weak (parents, siblings) or negligible (children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren). Furthermore, most associations are stable over time and geographical context, which is also true for the milder positive role of partnership and number of siblings, and the negative association of a number of living parents. Theoretical (fluent, optional relationships; solidarity vs ambivalence model), practical (no negative long-term impact of less stable partnerships), and methodological (quality of relationships) implications are addressed in the discussion.