The Perceptions of Elderly Parents about the Possibility of Discontinuing their Coresidence with Adult Children

Abstract

In the United States, it is not uncommon for older adults (age 65 years or over) to live in the same households with adult children. Yet we know very little about the quality and dynamics of the interpersonal relationships within such households. In this investigation, older adults (N= 192) coresiding with adult children respond to a series of hypothetical questions about how their lives might change if they no longer lived with those children. Results indicate that the majority of parents anticipate no change in most aspects of their lives. Among those who anticipate a change, most indicate that their lives would be worse. Bivariate comparisons identify parent, child, and household characteristics that are associated with more negative expectations; however, in multivariate analyses, the marital status of the parents had the most significant and pervasive influence on the attitudes that were expressed, with unmarried elders more likely to anticipate a negative impact.