Work

Consequences of Adult Children’s Perceptions of Maternal Differential Treatment Across Time

Year: 2017

Type: article

Abstract: Perceptions of mothers’ favoritism and disfavoritism in adulthood are strong predictors of psychological well-being; however, it is not known whether perceptions that are sustained across time increase the risk for depressive symptoms beyond those found at a single point in time. In the present paper, we use data collected from 479 adult children nested within 219 later-life families as part of the first and second waves of the Within-Family Differences Study to explore the relative risk of single-time versus sustained perceptions of mothers’ differentiation. Preliminary findings reveal that adult children’s perceptions of both favoritism and disfavoritism are relatively stable, consistent with findings based on mothers’ own reports. Consistent with theories of cumulative stress, perceptions of sustained favoritism and disfavoritism were found to be stronger predictors of depressive symptoms than were perceptions at any single point. The effects are particularly strong for Black offspring who perceive sustained disfavoritism.

Source: Innovation in Aging

DOI: 10.1093/geroni/igx004.5146

Authors: J. Suitor, M. Gilligan, S. Peng, J. Meyer, G. Con, K.A. Pillemer

Institutions: Purdue University West Lafayette, Iowa State University, Cornell University

Language: English

Topic: Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,977