Are Relationship Patterns Between Parents and Adult Children Associated With ADL Disability Risk in Later Life?

Abstract

Background: This study examined whether patterns of relationship quality between parents and adult children were associated with the onset of ADL disability in later life. Research Design and Methods: Using data from the Health and Retirement Study (N = 8,101), we studied whether support, strain, and patterns of relationships between parents and adult children were related to age of onset of ADL disability among parents. Results: Greater support from adult children (based on parental report) was associated with later onset of ADL disability, and greater social strain was associated with earlier onset of disability. Compared to high-quality relationships, adverse, indifferent, and ambivalent relationships were associated with an earlier onset of ADL disability over time. Discussion: It is important to acknowledge the complexity of relationships between parents and their adult children to understand how patterns of quality within these relationships influence ADL functioning in later life among parents.