The COVID-19 pandemic and changes in the level of contact between older parents and their non-coresident children: A European study

Joris Vergouwen*, Katrijn Delaruelle, Pearl Dykstra, Piet Bracke, Dimitri Mortelmans

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

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Abstract

Objective: The present study aims to investigate changes in the frequency of parent-child contact among Europeans aged 65 years and over within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, while recognizing heterogeneity within the group of older adults.

Background: Physical distancing measures have been implemented worldwide to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although this policy has proven to be effective in flattening the curve, it undoubtedly posed a serious challenge to intergenerational relations. Experts hinted that physical distancing measures may have reduced older adults’ level of contact with their non-coresident children. However, empirical evidence is lacking.

Method: Data from the SHARE COVID-19 questionnaire and previous SHARE waves for 26,077 individuals from 26 European countries and Israel were used and analyzed using multilevel multinomial logistic regression analysis.

Results: The analysis revealed that older adults’ level of intergenerational contact remained stable or even increased – rather than decreased – during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the overall positive outcome, some subgroups (i.e., older men, residents of nursing homes, less educated older adults and older adults living in countries with less stringent COVID-19 measures) were more likely to report reduced intergenerational contact.

Conclusion: Although variation was observed among older adults, the pandemic generally did not pose a threat to their level of intergenerational contact with non-coresident children.
Original languageEnglish
Article number240519356
Pages (from-to)512-537
Number of pages26
Journaljournal of family research
Volume34
Issue number1
Early online date20 Sept 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, Mustafa Begenc Tascanov. All rights reserved.

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