Generational Transmission of Social Relations: Findings from Multiple US Longitudinal Studies

Chair(s)

• 

  Rita Hu, MSW

  Doctoral Candidate
  School of Social Work, Department of Psychology
  University of Michigan
  Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

  Slides

Co-Chair(s)

• 

  Toni Antonucci, PhD

  Elizabeth M. Douvan Collegiate Professor of Psychology
  Life Course Development
  University of Michigan
  Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

  Slides

Discussant(s)

• 

  Shevaun Neupert, PhD

  Professor
  Department of Psychology
  North Carolina State University
  Raleigh, North Carolina, United States

  Slides

Individual Symposium Abstract First Author(s)

• 

  Rita Hu, MSW

  Doctoral Candidate
  School of Social Work, Department of Psychology
  University of Michigan
  Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States

  Slides
• SA

  Sumbleen Ali, PhD

  Research Scientist
  Human Ecology
  University of Connecticut
  Storrs, Connecticut, United States
• 

  Jasmine Manalel, PhD

  Senior Research Associate
  Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging
  Hunter College
  New York, New York, United States
• 

  J Jill Suitor, PhD, FGSA

  Distinguished Professor of Sociology
  Sociology and Center on Aging and the Life Course
  Purdue University
  West Lafayette, Indiana, United States

This symposium provides diverse findings documenting the long reach of social relations over generations. Ali and Rohner examine data from 41 adult offspring showing that recalled perception of rejection of parents during childhood are associated with fewer positive caregiving behaviors and social interactions with their now aging parents. Using three waves of longitudinal data over 23 years, Manalel, Cleary & Antonucci examine changes in composition, proximity, and contact frequency in social relations among 193 participants who were 8-12 years old at wave 1 (1992). Findings indicate increased diversity from wave 1 to 2 and increased stability from Wave 2 to 3, reflecting normative life transitions. Gender and race differences were also evident. Suitor, Gilligan, Frase & Stepniak examine 725 adult (aged 30-60) children’s experience of their mother’s advice concerning experienced depression and whether these differ by race, age, and gender. While there were no age differences, men, regardless of race and black daughters receiving advice had higher levels of depression but this had little effect white daughters. Finally, Hu and Antonucci use the Social Relations Study to examine the longitudinal association between social ties and self-esteem. They examined 553 people who were 13-77 at Wave 1 in 1992. Findings indicate that network closeness matters with increases in weak and close, but not closest network size related to increase in self-esteem 23 years later. In sum, this symposium offers multiple and diverse perspectives of generations in social relations and their association with well-being over the life span.

Presentations:

• 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM ET

  The Longitudinal Associations Between Social Network Structure and Self-Esteem
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Rita X. Hu, MSW – University of Michigan
• 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM ET

  As You Sow, So Shall You Reap: Effects of Adults’ Memories of Parental Acceptance-Rejection in Childhood on Aging Parent
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Sumbleen Ali, PhD – University of Connecticut
• 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM ET

  Development of Social Convoys: Trajectories of Convoy Structure and Composition from Childhood Through Adulthood
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: Jasmine Manalel, PhD – Hunter College
• 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM ET

  "Did I Ask for Your Advice?”: Effects of Advice from Parents on Adult Children's Depressive Symptoms
  

  Individual Symposium Abstract First Author: J Jill Suitor, PhD, FGSA – Purdue University