Aging Parents and Adult Children: Research Themes in Intergenerational Relations

Abstract

Dominant themes representing the relationships of older parents and their adult children are discussed. These pertain to roles and responsibilities, parent-child interaction (contact patterns, exchange, assistance, and support), individual well-being, relationship quality, and caregiving by adult children. These are discussed within the context of societal age structure changes. Speculation on the future of research on aged parents and adult children focuses on the application of theory, the need for studies on conflict, the role that qualitative inquiry could play, alternative approaches to family companionship, and investigations on socialization in adulthood.