Examining intergenerational resource transfers: The relevance of individual and family characteristics and reciprocity concepts.

摘要

This study proposed and tested an integrated theoretical framework for examining intergenerational resource transfers, an issue facing a majority of family systems. The relevance of individual and family characteristics and reciprocity concepts for understanding differences between the oldest old who do and do not indicate future resource transfers, and for predicting specific future resource transfer mechanisms was examined. The conceptual model was tested using a nationally representative sample of the oldest old ages 70+ from the Asset and Health Dynamics Among the Oldest Old (AHEAD) data set (N = 2,871) and logistic regression analyses.; The findings indicate that 72% of the oldest old who reported at least one child or grandchild reported having some type of future resource transfer. Of the four transfer mechanisms, wills were the most common (83%), followed by life insurance policies (32%), deeds (15%), and trusts (10%). The findings suggest, that both individual and family characteristics and reciprocity concepts are important in reliably distinguishing between the oldest old who indicated future resources transfers and those who did not (a model Chi-square of 310.60, df = 18, n = 2,788, p .01).; Individual and family characteristics were the most powerful set of predictors in the model with five individual (race, education, wealth, mental health status, and gender) and two family characteristics (marital status, number of children) being significant in predicting future transfers. Of the set of reciprocity concepts, four predictors (past transfers of money and shared living space, present contributions of advice, future expectation of money help) were significant. The model also significantly predicted differences between all four specific mechanisms of future transfers, more effectively predicting life insurance policies and wills followed by trusts and deeds.; This study contributes new ways to apply theoretical concepts of reciprocity and raises new research questions for further exploration. The results also provide insight for family practitioners regarding intergenerational resource transfers as family issues rather than individual decisions. Findings can be used to involve families in discussing motivations and expectations regarding wills, deeds, trusts, and life insurance policies as types of future resource transfers across multiple generations of family members.