Abstract
AbstractPrevious studies have shown that family networks evolve over time. Nonetheless, little research has linked family expansion or shrinking to the levels of available family-based social capital in older adults’ family networks. To address this research gap, this paper explores the following question: to what extent are changes in family composition and family-related life events associated with current levels of family-based social capital in later years? We use the two waves of the longitudinal CIGEV-LIVES Vivre-Leben-Vivere study, a large survey addressing the family and health conditions of older people in Switzerland. We combine data on life events occurring during old age and family configurations. We find that family networks are indeed highly dynamic, with distinct patterns of losses and gains observed among respondents. Adding and omitting significant family members has distinct significant effects on social capital, while family-related life events only have marginal effects.
Highlights
During the final stages of life, family becomes an increasingly important source of family-based social capital in older adults’ lives (Field and Minkler, 1988)
Most research has focused on the importance of the compositional stability of those family ties for maintaining high levels of family-based social capital, and evidence of the effect of adding or removing ties to or from the family network on family-based social capital in old age is not yet conclusive
Theoretical and empirical arguments postulate that compositional stability and change are of great importance when studying family and personal networks of older adults over time, little empirical research has measured the extent of such change and addressed their potential impacts on family-based social capital. This study addresses this gap and investigates to what extent compositional stability within family networks and change increase or decrease levels of available family-based social capital, i.e. emotional support stemming from the family network
Summary
During the final stages of life, family becomes an increasingly important source of family-based social capital in older adults’ lives (Field and Minkler, 1988). Meaningful family ties serve as major sources of relational resources and represent a key factor of wellbeing and self-identity in later life (Antonucci, 2001; Thoits, 2011). Support provided by family members, including informational, instrumental and emotional support, has a protective effect against decline in physical and mental health, as it quells feelings of isolation (Coll-Planas et al, 2017). Individuals who lack meaningful and positive family ties are more Most research has focused on the importance of the compositional stability of those family ties for maintaining high levels of family-based social capital, and evidence of the effect of adding or removing ties to or from the family network on family-based social capital in old age is not yet conclusive (van Tilburg, 1998; van Tilburg and Groenou, 2002)
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