Depression among Older Parents: The Role of Intergenerational Exchange

This study investigates the connections between depression among elderly parents (n = 388) and facets of the relationship between these parents and their adult children, including the exchange of assistance between generations, and the expectations older parents have for assistance from children. Results indicate that filial responsibility expectations are positively related to-depression. Further, in multivariate analyses, both aid received from children and aid given to children increase depression among parents, The directional flow of the exchange relation is unrelated to depression when parental health is controlled, but among "balanced" exchangers the amount of aid exchanged is positively related to depression. Results are interpreted in terms of individuals' perception of a loss of independence in old age.