Working with Older People

Family transition and older adults: does age still matter?

Amir Wani
, 
Showkat Ganaie
, 
Aneesa Shafi
Publication type: Journal Article
Publication date: 2024-08-30
scimago Q3
SJR: 0.225
CiteScore: 1.5
Impact factor: —
ISSN: 13663666, 20428790
Abstract
Purpose

In the current scenario, with rapid socioeconomic transformation occurring in all aspects of society, the adversities experienced by older adults have come to the forefront. The lived experiences within joint families are making it harder for the elderly to adjust to the changed familial setup. In such a situation, they undergo many problems which are most often overlooked and considered not worthy of serious attention. Loneliness and isolation are the most crucial and serious issues experienced by the elderly within the nuclear family. After spending a significantly larger part of their lives within large families, with caring people, interdependent, adjusting to the changing familial setup has become hard and strenuous. Moreover, lack of emotional support is yet another major concern of the elderly. As they grow older, care and emotional support become necessary to maintain an effective and active life in old age. However, such emotional support and care that the joint family offered is missing in the changing familial setup. Now, in light of these issues, this paper aims to explore the multidimensional concerns of the elderly (60 years and above) who, on account of familial transitioning from joint to nuclear in Kashmir, are experiencing isolation and other, hard to adjust, life changes. The paper is based on 20 oral narratives conducted, over time, with elderly people undergoing life changes due to family transition from joint to nuclear. The finding of the study revealed that the elderly experience a greater degree of change in their lifestyle due to the family transition from joint to nuclear.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a qualitative study that describes the multidimensional concerns of the older adults. The study was conducted in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir using in-depth face-to-face interviews with 20 respondents aged 60 years and above who have witnessed a transition in family from joint to nuclear and have undergone many problems during this transition. Apart from this, two interviews with the sons of older persons were also included in the study to know the status of age in the current situation. After the data was collected from the first 10 respondents, the study witnessed a data saturation, as the same set of results were obtained. Meanwhile, 3 more respondents were included in the study to make sure that no data was left behind; however, again same results were witnessed. This led the investigator to halt the data collection process. Thereafter, the data was then analyzed using Braun and Clarke's (2006) thematic analysis technique, which involved familiarizing oneself with the data, looking for themes, validating and refining themes, identifying and labeling themes and finally creating the report.

Findings

The traditional joint family is undergoing rapid transformation in the current scenario. With a trend toward the nuclearization of families, which resulted in the diminishing status of the elderly, the vulnerabilities of the elderly have come to the forefront (Kumar et al., 2014). The transition of the family from joint to nuclear can be difficult for the elderly as it involves the elderly having to adjust and adapt to a new social milieu, which can be quite complex as it involves major changes in their lifestyle and daily routine. The elderly may also experience difficulty with increased social isolation and reduced family interaction. Such problems may seem insignificant and trivial to the younger ones, but stepping into the shoes of the elderly would help us understand the intensity and vulnerability of such problems. This cultural shift is quickly making changes, in part due to the rise of individualism in modern societies and the existence of a consumerist perspective among the younger generations. Such situations lead to greater alienation and isolation among the elderly from society in general and the members of the family in particular.

Originality/value

The is an empirical study conducted to know the status of older adults in nuclear families.

Found 28
By date By citations
Elsevier
Family structure and depressive symptoms among older adults in China: A marginal structural model analysis
Dong X., Ng N., Santosa A.
Journal of Affective Disorders scimago Q1 wos Q1 , 
2023-03-01,  citations by CoLab: 8 ,  Abstract  
Mental well-being in the aging population is inevitably linked to families due to the reliance of older adults on family members. This study investigates the causal relationship between family structure and depressive symptoms among Chinese older adults in general and between gender and residential areas.We used China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) panel data, covering four data collection rounds over seven years. Family structure was classified into single-member, couple, nuclear family, and extended family. Taking into account time-varying confounding, we estimated the causal effects of family structure on depressive symptoms using marginal structural models.Older people with cumulative exposure to single-member family type had an increased odds of depressive symptoms by an average of 33 % (95 % CI: 1.22-1.44) than their counterparts who lived in the couple family. Additionally, older people living in extended families also had 6 % higher odds of experiencing depressive symptoms (95 % CI: 1.00, 1.11). The longitudinal associations were consistent across gender groups and residential areas (p-value for interaction is 0.6638 for gender and 0.7043 for the residential area).The time-varying confounders (e.g., chronic health conditions) included in the analysis are based on self-reported data, which may be subject to measurement errors.The risk of depressive symptoms is greater for older individuals living alone and in extended families. Screening for depression in the older population, particularly those living in "at-risk" households, is recommended.
Springer Nature
Marginalized and Alienated Elderly of Kashmir: Contesting Their ‘space’ in the Family and Society
Jahangir M.S., Shafi A.
International Perspectives on Aging , 
2021-12-01,  citations by CoLab: 2 ,  Abstract  
The paper attempts to explore different forms of suffering that the elderly (60 years and above) in Kashmir face within families and the broader society. It argues that the changes which the society has witnessed over a period of time have created an atmosphere of individualism and opportunism among the youth and a spontaneous hostility towards the elderly. The sociocultural and religious values of Kashmiri society situated the elderly at a dignified place; however, the recent advancements within the society and the lack of preparedness to deal with the subsequent challenges have further marginalized and alienated the elderly in and outside the family setting. The paper draws its inferences from the oral narratives conducted with 50 elderly persons and 10 semi-structured interviews with different resource persons.
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Association of family structure with gain and loss of household headship among older adults in India: Analysis of panel data
Srivastava S., Thalil M., Rashmi R., Paul R.
PLoS ONE scimago Q1 wos Q1 Open Access , 
2021-06-04,  citations by CoLab: 9 ,  PDF,  Abstract  
Background Despite huge changes in demographic behaviors, the family continues to be the major source of psychosocial support for older adults in India. The loss of household headship can be a cause of disregard for the aged and is associated in a very fundamental way with other status losses. Our study used the two rounds of the India Human Development Survey to understand the association of family structure on the gain or loss status of household headship among 10,527 older adults. Method Bivariate analysis was done using the chi-square test for association. Equivalently, the multivariate analysis involved estimating multivariable logistic regression models. Multicollinearity did not affect the estimates from the regression models. For examining headship transition, we performed two complete sets of analysis, by taking gain in headship and loss in headship as the outcome variable respectively. Results Across two rounds, a major shift in family structure was noticed as 6.8% of households moved from extended to a single generation. Results indicate that family structure was significantly associated with gaining and losing headship among older adults. Headship loss was more common among nuclear [OR: 2.16; CI: 1.28, 3.65] and extended [OR: 2.76; CI: 1.64, 4.66] family structures. Moreover, gaining headship was found to be significantly associated with married, educated, and working older adults. Conclusion Since living in single generation household may preferably be encouraged among older adults than their living in a complex household without headship and value they deserve, the public intervention may support the independent living within the older population through housing policies that create additional choices presented to older adults making residential decisions.
Springer Nature
Does Change in Family Structure Affect the Household Headship among Older Adults in India? A Gendered Perspective
Srivastava S., Chauhan S., Patel R., Kumar P., Purkayastha N., Singh S.K.
Ageing International scimago Q2 wos Q4 , 
2020-10-16,  citations by CoLab: 3 ,  Abstract  
Changing family structure from joint to nuclear posits a challenge among older people. Increasing prevalence of nuclear family promotes household headship among older adults but leaves them vulnerable as they have to live alone at older ages. Therefore, the study aims to estimate the trends and determine the factors associated with household headship among older adults from 1992-93 to 2015–16. The analysis of this paper is based on four rounds of the National Family Health Survey, which were conducted during the periods between 1992-93, 1998–99, 2005–06, and 2015–16, respectively. The study carried out bivariate and multivariate analysis to observe the association between outcome and independent variables. Results found that household headship among older adults had increased from 59.5% in 1992–93 to 67.8% in 2015–16. Further, the study found a rise in the proportion of nuclear families and household headship among older adults from 1992-93 to 2015–16. In older ages, household headship was more among older women than older men. The likelihood of household headship among older adults in a joint family is low as compared to household headship in a nuclear family. While the rise in household headship among older adults may be attributable to a variety of socio-economic influences, it has been noted that household headship among older adults has varied between men and women and by type of family structure. Moreover, there was a clear relationship between headship and wealth status of a household.
Elsevier
Older adults in traditional and modern living arrangements in southern India: The importance of maintaining a sense of belonging and positive intergenerational exchanges
Jaihind Jothikaran T.A., Meershoek A., Ashok L., Krumeich A.
Journal of Aging Studies scimago Q1 wos Q2 , 
2020-09-03,  citations by CoLab: 8 , 
Elsevier
Changing family structures and self-rated health of India's older population (1995-96 to 2014)
Lieber J., Clarke L., Timæus I.M., Mallinson P.A., Kinra S.
SSM - Population Health scimago Q1 wos Q1 Open Access , 
2020-08-01,  citations by CoLab: 15 ,  Abstract  
A common view within academia and Indian society is that older Indians are cared for by their families less than in the past. Children are a key source of support in later life and alternatives are limited, therefore declining fertility appears to corroborate this. However, the situation may be more complex. Having many children may be physiologically burdensome for women, sons and daughters have distinct care roles, social trends could affect support provision, and spouses also provide support. We assessed whether the changing structure of families has negatively affected health of the older population using three cross-sectional and nationally representative surveys of India's 60-plus population (1995–96, 2004 and 2014). We described changes in self-rated health and family structure (number of children, sons, and daughters, and marital status) and, using ordinal regression modelling, determined the association between family structure and self-rated health, stratified by survey year and gender. Our results indicate that family structure changes that occurred between 1995-96 and 2014 were largely associated with better health. Though family sizes declined, there were no health gains from having more than two children. In fact, having many children (particularly daughters) was associated with worse health for both men and women. There was some evidence that being sonless or childless was associated with worse health, but it remained rare to not have a son or child. Being currently married was associated with better health and became more common over the inter-survey period. Although our results suggest that demographic trends have not adversely affected health of the older population thus far, we propose that the largest changes in family structure are yet to come. The support available in coming years (and potential health impact) will rely on flexibility of the current system. • Past family structure changes do not indicate support declines or worsening health. • Large families are associated with poor health and family sizes are declining. • It remains rare to not have a child or son. • Marriage is associated with better health, and widowhood is declining. • Future family structure changes will be more considerable.
Ageing Policies and Programmes in India
Gangadharan K.R.
2020-06-23,  citations by CoLab: 2 ,  Abstract  
The first ever document to be announced by the Government of India on ageing was the National Policy on Older Persons in 1999 to commemorate the international year of older persons declared by the United Nations which articulates what the government in India would be doing to ensure that the senior citizens remain a national asset and the welfare measures needed to ensure their income and safety are protected by the governments. Few states have their own policies. The Government of India announced Vayoshreshtha awards to eminent senior citizens and institutions in recognition of their service to elderly persons. In 2007, a landmark legislation, the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007 was enacted by the Indian Parliament and over the past decades many crucial judgements were awarded in favour of senior citizens, thereby cautioning the children that neglecting their parents would attract penal actions for neglect and abuse. Old age pension of Rs. 200/- for those over 60 years and Rs. 500/- for those over 80 years is given by the central government expecting the states to offer an equal amount. The coverage needs to be increased as it is targeted towards those living below poverty line. There are schemes such as Annapurna, widow pension, distribution of assistive devices and so on. Training of manpower in old age homes, particularly those funded by the Government of India, is being carried out by the Regional Resource and Training Centres and other collaborating agencies. The National Programme for Health Care of the Elderly since 2013 is making a steady progress; the regional centres have been established; during the next few years, these institutes would be making available postgraduate geriatric medical professionals. The National Institute of Social Justice is a central agency involved in coordinating the education, research and training that benefits the Indian senior citizen community. The Government of India is involved in the Human Rights of Older Persons, and they present the India government’s stand on the rights of senior citizens in the Open-Ended Working Group meetings convened by the United Nations at New York. The senior citizens are getting empowered by several efforts of the NGOs and state- and district-level programmes, especially on 1 October commemorating the International Day of Senior Citizens, and several people receive awards and are honoured by the governments.
SAGE
Changes and Trends in Family Structure in Taiwan, 1990 to 2010
Wang Y., Yang W.
Journal of Family Issues scimago Q1 wos Q2 , 
2019-07-18,  citations by CoLab: 10 ,  Abstract  
Taiwan has experienced significant demographic changes since the late 20th century, including decreasing fertility rate, increasing life expectancy, postponement of marriage and childbearing, reduced marriage rate, and rise in divorce. These demographic trends are likely to change the family structure. The objective of this article is to describe and summarize the changes in family structure between 1990 and 2010 in Taiwan using the Population and Housing Census data. During this period, the average household size decreased from 4.1 to 3.0 persons per household. Also, the share of couple households with unmarried children decreased by 15.1%, and the share of single-person households increased by 8.6%. Nuclear-family households, though they became less common, remained the dominant household type. Single-person households surpassed stem-family households as the second most common household type in 2000 and 2010. Households that are at greater risk of economic hardship, such as single-parent households and skipped-generation households, also increased their respective share during this period.
Levels of Loneliness and Family Structure among Geriatrics
K A., S K.
2018-04-17,  citations by CoLab: 2 , 
Theorizing Elder Abuse in the Indian Context
Khan A.M., Bhat N.A.
2018-03-14,  citations by CoLab: 4 ,  Abstract  
Elder abuse has emerged as a serious human rights issue. It challenges the social, moral and cultural ethos of elderly care. Longevity of life is not free from adversities of ageing due to unprecedented changes in the family as a foundation of elderly care. The structural and functional changes in the family are adversely affecting the ‘web of elderly care’. The studies of inter-generation gaps are testimony to this. Conflicting relations between young and older people encourage elderly abuse in the form of negligence, indifference, lack of social and emotional support, negatively and economic insecurity, quarrels and poor medical care. All these determinants contribute to elder abuse, from mild cases to severe ones. Physical abuse is a severe form of elder abuse; it is an offence. Other form of abuse, such as medical-care abuse, cannot only be dealt with in legal terms. Elderly abuse in the Indian context appears to be non-fulfilment of expectations which elderly people have developed during their prime about their care during old age. The care of the elderly is adversely affected on account of larger differences between young and old. The scarcity of family care-givers, resource crunch, and a tremendous deterioration in the ‘cultural ethos of elderly care’ are reflected in abuse of the elderly. It can be dealt with only when several social, political and developmental interventions are initiated along with legal and human-rights interventions. General perception that fault in care of elderly lies into young is just apprehension. Elderly expected to get care as they envisage in the prime age remain a measure cause of quarrel and conflict. They need to be sensitized and oriented to reset the expectorations of care as per existing reality. This will strengthen bind between young and old.
Taylor & Francis
Family caregiving for older adults: gendered roles and caregiver burden in emigrant households of Kerala, India
Ugargol A.P., Bailey A.
Asian Population Studies scimago Q2 wos Q2 , 
2018-01-12,  citations by CoLab: 52 ,  Abstract  
ABSTRACTThe Indian state of Kerala leads the demographic transition and characteristically showcases emigration of predominantly male adult children, leaving behind parents, spouses and children. When men emigrate, gendered contexts burden women, especially spouses and daughters-in-law, with caregiving duties including elder care. Employing the social exchange perspective and drawing on in-depth interviews of left-behind caregivers to older adults in emigrant households, we explore reciprocal motives, expectations and perceptions of burden. Findings resonate gendered expectations of care and social sanction that ensure women do much of the caregiving. Daughters-in-law sacrificed careers and endured separation from husbands to transition into caregiving roles, costs borne to effectuate their husband's filial role. Perceived non-reciprocity, unbalanced exchanges and unmet expectations increased perceptions of burden for caregivers. Temporary financial autonomy could hardly alleviate perceptions of burden am...
Oxford University Press
Family Relationships and Well-Being
Umberson D., Liu H., Thomas P.A.
Innovation in Aging scimago Q1 wos Q1 Open Access , 
2017-11-01,  citations by CoLab: 370 ,  PDF,  Abstract  
AbstractFamily relationships are enduring and consequential for well-being across the life course. We discuss several types of family relationships—marital, intergenerational, and sibling ties—that have an important influence on well-being. We highlight the quality of family relationships as well as diversity of family relationships in explaining their impact on well-being across the adult life course. We discuss directions for future research, such as better understanding the complexities of these relationships with greater attention to diverse family structures, unexpected benefits of relationship strain, and unique intersections of social statuses.
Status, decision-making role and expectations of older persons in rural Maharashtra, India
Bansod D.W.
Asia-Pacific Population Journal , 
2013-10-23,  citations by CoLab: 8 , 
SAGE
Grandparents Providing Care to Grandchildren
Luo Y., LaPierre T.A., Hughes M.E., Waite L.J.
Journal of Family Issues scimago Q1 wos Q2 , 
2012-04-27,  citations by CoLab: 128 ,  Abstract  
This study examines transitions in grandchild care and the characteristics of grandparents making these transitions, using longitudinal data from a nationally representative sample of 13,626 grandparents in the 1998-2008 Health and Retirement Study. More than 60% of grandparents provided grandchild care over the 10-year period; more than 70% of those did it for 2 years or more. Grandparents with fewer functional limitations and more economic resources were more likely to start or continue nonresidential care, whereas relatively disadvantaged grandparents were more likely to start and continue coresidential care. Grandparents who were African American, younger, married, living with fewer minor children of their own, or had more grandchildren were more likely to start care, particularly nonresidential care. African Americans and Hispanics were more likely than Whites to start and continue coresidential care. These findings demonstrate the heterogeneity of caregiving and point to the lack of resources among those who provide coresidential care.
Wiley
Economic security arrangements in the context of population ageing in India
Bloom D.E., Mahal A., Rosenberg L., Sevilla J.
International Social Security Review scimago Q2 wos Q3 , 
2010-07-01,  citations by CoLab: 86 , 

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