Effects of Parental Rejection and Relationship Quality on Depression among Older Rural Adults

Authors

Jim P. Stimpson, Sealy Center on Aging, University of Texas Medical Branch
Kimberly A. Tyler, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Dan R. Hoyt, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

8-2005

Comments

Published in International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 61(3):195-210. Copyright © &#;2005 Baywood Publishing Co., Inc.

Abstract

Research suggests that families have development histories which influence their responses to situations across the life course. The present study examined the effects of family relationship histories on intergenerational affection and conflict between adult children and their parents and how this affects parents’ depressive symptoms. Path analysis based on matched reports of adult children and their parents revealed that parental behavior early in life affects contemporary relationships between family members, which ultimately impacts parents’ depressive symptoms. Parental rejection is negatively associated with intergenerational affection, which in turn is negatively associated with depressive symptoms.