For U.S. parents, relations often unhappy with grown kids

From USC

Watch out, mom and dad: That circle of life inevitably will turn and how seniors get along with their grown children has a big effect on their quality of life, Trojan researchers remind, especially after concluding a six-nation study of family life and relationships. 'Disharmonious' relationships, with strong negative emotions and sans strong positive ones, were twice as likely to occur among Americans than any of the studied nations, including in Israel, Germany, England, Norway and Spain. American parents were twice as likely as their English or German counterparts to have negative reactions to their kids. The Germans rated as cold fish, with neither strong positive nor negative emotions and a measurable detachment between elders and their offspring, while the Israelis had both strong positives and negatives, indicating emotional intensity and ambivalence. When asked to rate whether the parent-adult child relations were 'amicable,' 75% of Brits said yes, while 51% of Americans agreed and 49% of Germans affirmed. If parents said they could not climb stairs, indicating a declining physical condition, their ratings of their relationships and detachment with their kids declined across the board, indicating just how freighted family life becomes when seniors get frail and dependent.

• And by the way, for those who have ideas, thoughts or comments on the Older Americans Act, the Trojans will host a session Tuesday with the public and experts, policy-makers and leaders in the field to discuss how this key national legislation might be improved or adjusted before its impending re-authorization. The law was enacted in 1965, along with Social Security, and details how the U.S. should undertake services, training and research to better the lives of American seniors. Reservations are required and a light lunch will be provided for participants after the 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. program.

Click here to RSVP for program on 'Older Americans Act'

Six-nation study finds 'disharmonious' relations 2x more likely among U.S. parents, grown kids