Examined the effect of cultural or normative structures, as measured by ethnicity, on living arrangements of 7,015 older Canadian women. Results indicated that fertility is the major determinant of whether or not older women live alone, followed closely by ethnicity. Income, education, and age also have some effect. (JAC)

Compared older Mexican Americans who are members of three-generation families in the San Antonio area with other elderly on a number of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Found that members were more fertile, had married and had children at a younger age, and were of slightly lower socioeconomic status. (JAC)

A statewide sample of 234 individuals, 70 years of age or older, was employed to assess the nature and prominence of intimate friendships in the social world of aged men and women. There was little sexual differentiation in the characteristics of intimate friendships in late life. (Author)

The impact sex and marital status have upon circumscribing the social relationships of the elderly is explored. Data reveal that the widowed, as a group, are no more isolated from their kin and friends or from associations in religious organizations than married individuals. (Author)

Explored the impact of employment and familial responsibilities on the assistance provided to elderly parents (N=153) by adult children (N=502). Results showed hours of assistance varied with the level of parental impairment, the presence of the older parents' spouse, and competing demands on the helpers' time. (JAC)

Examines the possibility that properties of family and kinship systems influence the status of the elderly independently of economic factors. Cross-cultural data are employed to support the hypotheses that the status of the elderly is directly related to the occurrence of unilocal (particularly patrilocal) customs of postmarital residence. (JAC)

Interviewed 400 elderly women to identify factors contributing to mother's satisfaction with filial relationships. Satisfaction with filial relationships was found to be related primarily to satisfaction with quality of contact with children and secondarily to children's potential filial behavior and mother's satisfaction with quantity of contact…

Examined family reactions to widowhood using data from the Longitudinal Retirement History Study. Found that average frequency of interaction with available kin increased for both married and widowed persons over time, with greatest increase among women who became widowed. (JAC)