Intergenerational Support Activities and Well-Being among the Elderly: A Convergence of Exchange and Symbolic Interaction Perspectives

Abstract

Exchange and symbolic interaction perspectives recognize that individuals actively appraise and assess situations; that expectations and benefits derive their meanings from definitions of the situation and past experiences; and that interactions are not fixed and predetermined but open to negotiation and change. The application of this shared orientation to the intergenerational family role suggests that social background and related roles, subjective meanings and self-feelings, as well as exchange processes influence the interaction of adult children and their elderly parents. Data are derived from a national sample of elderly widows and married persons. Findings include: (1) marital status creates differences in the character and importance of the intergenerational role; (2) the subjective significance attributed to adult children is a major factor which influences patterns of intergenerational interaction; and (3) exchange patterns appear to be more important in influencing the self-feelings of widows than married persons.