Courtney A Polenick1, Nicole DePasquale2, David J Eggebeen2, Steven H Zarit2, Karen L Fingerman3. 1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. 2. Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park. 3. Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, The University of Texas at Austin.
Abstract
Objectives: Relationships between fathers and their children are salient to both parties throughout the life course. Yet little is known about how these ties may affect well-being in later life. This study examined the implications of aging fathers' and middle-aged children's perceptions of father-child relationship quality for their own and the other party's well-being. Method: Using a sample of 103 fathers (M = 77.88 years) and their children (M = 49.92 years) drawn from Wave 1 of the Family Exchanges Study, we estimated actor-partner interdependence models to evaluate associations between each party's perceptions of father-child relationship quality and their well-being. Results: Fathers had elevated depressive symptoms when they reported more negative relationships with children. This association was exacerbated for fathers of daughters when daughters reported a highly negative relationship. Fathers had better self-rated health, however, when they reported more positive relationships with daughters. Children had elevated depressive symptoms and lower life satisfaction when they reported more negative ties with fathers. Finally, sons had lower depressive symptoms when they reported more positive ties with fathers. Discussion: Findings suggest that father-child relationship quality has significant implications for the well-being of both aging fathers and middle-aged daughters or sons.
Objectives: Relationships between fathers and their children are salient to both parties throughout the life course. Yet little is known about how these ties may affect well-being in later life. This study examined the implications of aging fathers' and middle-aged children's perceptions of father-child relationship quality for their own and the other party's well-being. Method: Using a sample of 103 fathers (M = 77.88 years) and their children (M = 49.92 years) drawn from Wave 1 of the Family Exchanges Study, we estimated actor-partner interdependence models to evaluate associations between each party's perceptions of father-child relationship quality and their well-being. Results: Fathers had elevated depressive symptoms when they reported more negative relationships with children. This association was exacerbated for fathers of daughters when daughters reported a highly negative relationship. Fathers had better self-rated health, however, when they reported more positive relationships with daughters. Children had elevated depressive symptoms and lower life satisfaction when they reported more negative ties with fathers. Finally, sons had lower depressive symptoms when they reported more positive ties with fathers. Discussion: Findings suggest that father-child relationship quality has significant implications for the well-being of both aging fathers and middle-aged daughters or sons.
Authors: Kira S Birditt; Lauren A Tighe; Karen L Fingerman; Steven H Zarit Journal: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci Date: 2012-05-23 Impact factor: 4.077
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Authors: Anna Andreas; Lars O White; Susan Sierau; Sonja Perren; Kai von Klitzing; Annette M Klein Journal: Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 2018-01-04 Impact factor: 4.785
Authors: Kira S Birditt; Courtney A Polenick; Olga Van Bolt; Kyungmin Kim; Steven H Zarit; Karen L Fingerman Journal: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci Date: 2019-01-10 Impact factor: 4.077