The impact of spousal loss on parent–child relations in later life: Are effects contingent upon the quality of the late marriage?

Abstract

We use data from the Changing Lives of Older Couples (CLOC) to examine (1) the effect of late-life widowhood on parent–child relations at 6- and 18-month follow-ups; (2) the extent to which effects are conditional upon three qualities of the late marriage (positive and negative interactions, and emotional dependence); and (3) pathways linking marital quality to parent–child relations. We focus on three aspects of parent–child relationships: support, criticism and dependence. Widowed persons report significantly less criticism from and more dependence upon children than do married controls, although effects are conditional upon characteristics of the late marriage. Among the bereaved, marital warmth is associated with high levels of support from children post-loss, whereas marital strains are associated with less emotional support from and dependence on children. Widow(er)s who were highly dependent on their late spouse report lower levels of criticism from children. We discuss implications for bereavement and intergenerational relations in later life.