To give is better than to receiwe - Reciprocity in parent-child relations in later life

摘要

The present study investigated the importance of the concept of reciprocity in family relations in later life by distinguishing (a) reciprocity as a descriptive dimension for patterns of support exchange and (b) reciprocity as moral norm. A total of 175 autonomously living elderly people were interviewed on the composition of their social networks, the exchange of emotional and instrumental support, and their adherence to norm of reciprocity. The majority of respondents reported a balanced exchange (i.e. receiving as much as they get) regarding emotional support. For the dimension of instrumental support, being over- or under-benefited was far more likely. Moderator analyses underlined the importance of the adherence to the reciprocity norm for the cognitive appraisal of support exchange and its effects on psychological well-being.