Intergenerational family relations in Luxembourg: Adult children and their ageing parents in migrant and non-migrant families

Poster (2014, July)

Most studies in the context of acculturation research have focused on family relations between first generation parents and their second generation children in adolescence, but less is known about ... [more ▼]

Most studies in the context of acculturation research have focused on family relations between first generation parents and their second generation children in adolescence, but less is known about immigrant families at later stages in the family life cycle. As first generation immigrants are currently approaching retirement age in many Western European countries, the question of how parent-child relations in adulthood are regulated, gains - however - particular importance. Older migrants and their adult children might be confronted with very special tasks compared to families without migration background. In general, first generation parents might need higher intergenerational support from their adult children due to a smaller social network in the host country or due to fewer sociocultural resources such as language competences. There might also be an acculturation gap between parents and their adult children regarding different identity constructions, value orientations, norms and expectations with regard to intergenerational solidarity and support. These differences in expectations and beliefs might affect relationship quality between the family members from different generations as well as their well-being. In the present study, a cross-cultural comparison of altogether N = 120 Portuguese and Luxembourgish triads of older parents and their adult children, both living in the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg, is envisaged. The aims of the study are, firstly to examine similarities and differences in family values, internalized norms and mutual expectations of older parents and their adult children in migrant and non-migrant families; secondly, to analyze in how far an acculturation gap respectively a generation gap might have an impact on the relationship quality between parents and their adult children; thirdly and related to this, to explore subjective well-being (SWB) of all involved family members. Results will be discussed in the framework of an integrative model of intergenerational family relations in the light of migration and ageing. This model will be proposed as a heuristic to explain similarities and differences in adult child-parent relations in migrant and non-migrant families. [less ▲]

Growing up in a multicultural society

in EARA Newsletter - European Association of Research on Adolescence (2014)

Language use and value orientations in multinational work teams in Luxembourg: Conflict or harmony?

in International Journal of Intercultural Relations (2014), 41

Due to globalization and international expansion of enterprises, cultural diversity in the workplace becomes more and more frequent. The present study focuses on two key issues regarding multinational ... [more ▼]

Due to globalization and international expansion of enterprises, cultural diversity in the workplace becomes more and more frequent. The present study focuses on two key issues regarding multinational work teams: language use and differences in value orientations of the employees of different cultural backgrounds and their potential effects on perception of team conflicts and team atmosphere. Results showed a relation between the perception of difficulties due to language use and the perception of conflicts in the team. Also, the difference between own and estimated value orientations of colleagues was positively related to the perception of conflicts and negatively to the evaluation of the team atmosphere. [less ▲]

Regulation von Eltern-Kind-Beziehungen im Jugendalter und die Rolle von familienbezogenen Selbstwirksamkeitsüberzeugungen

Scientific Conference (2013, September)

Die vorliegende Studie befasst sich mit der Rolle familienbezogener Selbstwirksamkeitsüberzeugungen in den Beziehungen zwischen Jugendlichen und ihren Eltern. Die Stichprobe umfasste N = 46 in Luxemburg ... [more ▼]

Die vorliegende Studie befasst sich mit der Rolle familienbezogener Selbstwirksamkeitsüberzeugungen in den Beziehungen zwischen Jugendlichen und ihren Eltern. Die Stichprobe umfasste N = 46 in Luxemburg lebende Eltern-Jugendlichen-Triaden, d.h. Jugendliche (n = 22 Jungen, n = 24 Mädchen) im Alter zwischen 15 und 20 Jahren sowie deren Mütter und Väter. Mittels eines standardisierten Fragebogens wurden a) elterliche Erziehungsdimensionen (Wärme, Verhaltenskontrolle, psychologische Kontrolle), b) filiale und elterliche Selbstwirksamkeitsüberzeugungen sowie c) positive und negative Emotionen als Indikatoren der Beziehungsqualität zwischen Jugendlichen und ihren Eltern erhoben. Die Analysen zeigten einen positiven Zusammenhang zwischen elterlicher Wärme und filialen Selbstwirksamkeitsüberzeugungen sowie einen negativen Zusammenhang zwischen elterlicher psychologischer Kontrolle und Selbstwirksamkeitsüberzeugungen von Jugendlichen und Eltern. Filiale Selbstwirksamkeitsüberzeugungen waren darüber hinaus mit der Beziehungsqualität zu den Eltern verbunden und mediierten den Zusammenhang zwischen perzipiertem elterlichen Erziehungsverhalten und der Qualität der Eltern-Jugendlichen-Beziehungen. Die Ergebnisse werden unter Berücksichtigung intrafamilialer Prozesse der Beziehungsregulation diskutiert. [less ▲]

Ambivalence in child-parent relations and its correlates with perceived parenting in adolescence and emerging adulthood: Direct and indirect measurement.

Scientific Conference (2013, September)

The concept of intergenerational ambivalence describes dynamics of simultaneous attraction and repulsion in families. Although previous research has mostly concentrated on experiences of ambivalence in ... [more ▼]

The concept of intergenerational ambivalence describes dynamics of simultaneous attraction and repulsion in families. Although previous research has mostly concentrated on experiences of ambivalence in adult child-parent relations, adolescence and emerging adulthood are also phases where the concept may be fruitfully applied to describe parent-child relations. Both periods may give rise to ambivalences and tensions in family relations since they comprise important transformations in child-parent relations that entail many developmental tasks, such as the balancing of relatedness and autonomy in the dual process of individuation. The present study focused these earlier transitional phases in child-parent relations. The general aim was to examine which factors in the child-parent relationship foster (or prevent) the adolescents’ experience of ambivalences in the individuation process; a special emphasis will be put here on the role of perceived parenting. A sample of N = 233 participants between the age of 14 and 25 (M = 19.00, SD = 2.69) living in Luxembourg reported on their relations towards their mothers and their fathers. The standardized questionnaire measured perceived parenting on three dimensions (maternal resp. paternal support, behavioural control, and psychological control); further, ambivalence towards mothers and fathers was assessed a) directly by use of a newly developed questionnaire including contradictory emotional, motivational, and behavioural tendencies, and b) indirectly by a pattern approach, combining positive and negative emotions towards both parents. Results showed that the experience of intergenerational ambivalence was positively related to parental psychological control both using direct and indirect measurements of ambivalence. Ambivalence was also positively related to paternal behavioural control; a relation with maternal behavioural control was found only for older participants. Results are discussed with respect to developmental phase and roles of mothers and fathers in the regulation of ambivalence within the individuation process. [less ▲]

Attitudes towards ageing in elder care

in Psychology and Health (2013, July), 28(SI Supplement: 1), 58-58

Background: The present study examined if attitudes towards ageing depend on own experiences with old and frail persons. Methods: The sample comprised N = 127 participants in the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg ... [more ▼]

Background: The present study examined if attitudes towards ageing depend on own experiences with old and frail persons. Methods: The sample comprised N = 127 participants in the Grand-Duchy of Luxembourg (85 female, 42 male; mean age: M = 46.49, SD = 18.61), subdivided in three groups: professional carers, informal carers, and individuals who had never provided old-age care. Participants were asked to indicate their views about age in general and their expectations about their own ageing by use of a semi-structured questionnaire. Findings: Professional and informal carers indicated a higher age as starting point of old age compared to non-carers. Further, professional carers mentioned more negative and less positive features of old age and had more concrete expectations about their own ageing compared to other participants. Discussion: Results are discussed with regard to the relevance of attitudes towards ageing for individuals’ well-being and for their caregiving for elderly persons. [less ▲]

Grandparent-grandchild relations in a changing society: different types and roles

in Albert, Isabelle; Ferring, Dieter (Eds.) Intergenerational Relations: European Perspectives on Family and Society (2013)

This chapter gives an overview of research regarding grandparent-grandchild relations from childhood to early adulthood. The authors start with reflections on the public image of grandparents and on ... [more ▼]

This chapter gives an overview of research regarding grandparent-grandchild relations from childhood to early adulthood. The authors start with reflections on the public image of grandparents and on changes in grandparenthood due to the socio-demographic developments of the last decades. They provide a general description of characteristics of today’s grandparents, summarise research on grandparental types and roles, and discuss functions and meanings of grandparents and grandchildren for each other in different stages of their lives. Further, the applicability of concepts such as intergenerational solidarity and ambivalence for the study of grandparent-grandchild relations is investigated. Also, a prospective view on future developments regarding current issues is given (for example, postponement of parenthood, the role of grandparents as custodial parents, the effects of socioeconomic developments, changed gender roles, the impact of new communication technologies on grandparent-grandchild relations). [less ▲]

Report on the International Workshop "Value of Children and Intergenerational Relations ", March 29th to 30th, 2012, at the University of Konstanz, organized by Gisela Trommsdorff and Bernhard Nauck

in Zeitschrift für Soziologie der Erziehung und Sozialisation = Journal for Sociology of Education and Socialization (2013), 33

New developments and recent research questions in the project "Value of Children and Intergenerational relations"

in Diskurs Kindheits- und Jugendforschung (2013), 8

Intergenerationale Ambivalenz im Jugend- und jungen Erwachsenenalter – Eine entwicklungspsychologische Perspektive

Scientific Conference (2012, September 19)