Based on attachment theory, a path model was constructed in which adult children's feelings of attachment led to their attachment behaviors, and in turn to their present help to elderly mothers and commitment to provide future help. Also included in the model were marital status of the adult child, filial obligation, mother's dependency, and interpersonal conflict with the mother. Data were obtained from 134 adult children with intact marriages and 91 who were divorced. Results indicated that attachment behaviors, feelings of attachment, and present help had the strongest influence on commitment to help in the future. In the model, marital status had both direct and indirect effects on future help to elderly mothers, with divorce leading directly to greater commitment to future help, but indirectly to less future help through its effect on attachment behaviors and present help.
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