Characteristics of Middle-Aged Daughters and Help to Their Elderly Mothers

Abstract

This paper examines the relationships between selected characteristics of a sample of middle-aged daughters (N = 161) and the nature and amount of help that they provided to their elderly mothers. Univariate analysis of variance and regression analyses indicated that the daughters' characteristic-their ages, marital status, work/nonwork status, and living arrangements (whether daughters and mothers share households or live separately)--were related significantly to the amount of help they provided. Shared households and older ages of the daughter were associated with more care giving, while both being married and being employed 'pulled slightly from the amount of help given. The findings illuminate the situations of in the middle-that is, middle-aged women involved in parent care-and suggest social-policy directions and further research needs.