Universität zu Köln

Arranz Becker, Oliver and Hank, Karsten (2022). Adult children's estrangement from parents in Germany. J. Marriage Fam., 84 (1). S. 347 - 361. HOBOKEN: WILEY. ISSN 1741-3737

Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract

Objective To analyze the prevalence and predictors of children's estrangement from noncoresident biological mothers and fathers during young and middle adulthood. Background Intergenerational relationships exhibit considerable heterogeneity and need not always be close or intact. However, despite its potentially far-reaching impact on the entire family system, only very few quantitative studies have been conducted yet investigating adult parent-child estrangement. Method This study draws on ten waves of longitudinal survey data from the German Family Panel (pairfam;n = 10,228). We estimate two-level random-intercept logit panel regressions of parent-child estrangement, defined as noncontact or emotional distance. Results Substantially, more children experienced periods of estrangement from fathers (20%; corresponding to 12% of person-years of observation) than from mothers (9%; corresponding to 5% of person-years of observation). We observed a longitudinal pattern reflecting modest dynamics, that is, neither continuously estranged relationships nor multiple transitions into and out of estrangement were the rule. Disruptive family events and, particularly, children's estrangement from other (biological or nonbiological) parental figures turned out to be the most important predictors of being estranged from the focal biological parent, especially from fathers. Children expressing stronger familistic attitudes were less likely to experience estrangement. Conclusions Estrangement is a quantitatively relevant phenomenon in adult parent-child relations, where relationships with fathers are particularly vulnerable. Crossovers between children's relationships with various parental figures indicate that estrangement is a family matter that is best addressed by taking a family systems perspective. Estrangement deserves further attention by both researchers and practitioners in family counseling and therapy.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Arranz Becker, Oliver UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Hank, Karsten UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-571400
DOI:	10.1111/jomf.12796
Journal or Publication Title:	J. Marriage Fam.
Volume:	84
Number:	1
Page Range:	S. 347 - 361
Date:	2022
Publisher:	WILEY
Place of Publication:	HOBOKEN
ISSN:	1741-3737
Language:	English
Faculty:	Unspecified
Divisions:	Unspecified
Subjects:	no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language FAMILY ESTRANGEMENT; NO CONTACT; TIES; AMBIVALENCE; SOLIDARITY; CONFLICT; REASONS Multiple languages Family Studies; Sociology Multiple languages
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/57140