Primary Groups in Old Age

Dono, John E.; Falbe, Cecilia M.; Kail, Barbara Lynn; Litwak, Eugene; Sherman, Roger H.; Siegel, David

doi:10.1177/016402757914001

Cited by 41 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…A distinctive feature of this type of extended family-labeled "modified extended"-is its capacity to respond to the needs of its members. For instance, even adult children who live far from their parents provide assistance to them when they become impaired (Dono et al 1979;Sussman 1965).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intergenerational Solidarity and the Structure of Adult Child‐Parent Relationships in American Families

Silverstein

Bengtson

1997

American Journal of Sociology

694

593

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The authors investigate the structure of intergenerational cohesion by examining social-psychological, structural, and transactional aspects of adult child-parent relations. The authors use latent class analysis to develop a typology based on three underlying dimensions of intergenerational solidarity: affinity, opportunity structure, and function. The same five types are found for relations with both mothers and fathers: tight-knit, sociable, intimate but distant, obligatory, and detached. Relationship types are also differentiated by sociodemographic characteristics; relations with fathers and divorced parents tended to have the weakest cohesion. The authors conclude that adult intergenerational relationships in American families are structurally diverse but generally possess the potential to serve their members' needs.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intergenerational Solidarity and the Structure of Adult Child‐Parent Relationships in American Families

Silverstein

Bengtson

1997

American Journal of Sociology

694

593

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“…Two main sources of assistance with personal care can be distinguished: Informal support includes help provided by relatives, friends, or neighbors, a diffuse primary group characterized by its small size, affectivity, and durable commitment to each other's well-being (Dono, Falbe, Kail, Litwak, Sherman, & Siegel, 1979). Formal support is delivered by persons from outside the primary group, such as home-health agencies, assisted living facilities, or nursing homes, It is estimated that in industrial countries, such as the United States or Germany, approximately 80 percent to 85 percent of help and care services to the elderly is provided by informal helpers (Schneekloth & Potthoff, 1994;Stone, Cafferata, & Sangl, 1987).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Older Adults' Preferences for Informal, Formal, and Mixed Support for Future Care Needs: A Comparison of Germany and the United States

Pinquart

Sörensen

2002

Int J Aging Hum Dev

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Based on the complementary model of support use, we investigated older adults' preferences for short-term and long-term future care needs in a U.S. and a German sample (65+ years). A greater preference for the exclusive use of informal support and for mixed support (a combination of informal and formal support) was found with regard to short-term care needs whereas a greater preference for the exclusive use of formal support was reported for long-term care needs. German seniors were more likely than U.S. seniors to report a preference for informal support. U.S. seniors, however, were more likely than German seniors to prefer mixed support. Being male, and having more contact with relatives predicted stronger preferences for informal and mixed support. In addition, age, the number of adult children, previous receipt of support, education, and income were associated with preferences for future support.

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“…The importance of the primary group as a unit of identification and action was thought to be reduced. A number of writers have since demonstrated the strength and persistence of primary group ties, including friendship, despite the existence of state welfare provision, increasing choice in the selection of roles and relationships and a high rate of social mobility (Allan 1979, Cantor 1979, Fischer 1977, Litwak and Szeleni 1969, Verbrugge 1977, Dono 1979, A greater emphasis on friendship is found in the American literature of social psychology. In a theoretical essay, Hess (1972) offers a useful framework for the analysis.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Good Company: The Sociological Implications of Friendship

Jerrome¹

1984

The Sociological Review

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Sociologists have paid relatively little attention to friendship, for a variety of reasons. This paper, based on an intensive study of a small group of middle‐class, middle‐aged English women, describes the basis of their attraction for each other, the activities they pursue together and the norms governing their interaction. Friendship emerges as a source of social integration. Friends are seen to play an important part in the creation and maintenance of social reality. Friendship offers relief from the strains of other role performance and provides a vehicle for the expression of feminine and status attributes. In this connection, attention is drawn to the role of women in the maintenance of the family's social position.

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Primary Groups in Old Age

Cited by 41 publications

References 13 publications

Intergenerational Solidarity and the Structure of Adult Child‐Parent Relationships in American Families

Intergenerational Solidarity and the Structure of Adult Child‐Parent Relationships in American Families

Older Adults' Preferences for Informal, Formal, and Mixed Support for Future Care Needs: A Comparison of Germany and the United States

Good Company: The Sociological Implications of Friendship

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