Relationships in Adulthood

Question 1

Marriage

Answer 1

• Nearly all adults marry (80% by age 45 and 95% by age 80)
• Satisfaction is highest when view each other as equal partners
• Satisfaction increases in midlife and late adulthood, with increased income, decreased stress, and increased time spent together
• In late adulthood, tend to have a positive, rosy view of partner

Question 2

Divorce

Answer 2

• In midlife, typically initiated by women
• –Associated with decreased life satisfaction & early mortality
• –Generally, adjustment is more positive compared to young adults
• BUT divorce is much less likely in couples over age 65
• –Over age 65, adjustment is poorer because of strong changes to social network, especially for men
• –More likely to cohabitate with new romantic partner than to remarry

Question 3

Parenting Adult Children

Answer 3

• Generally, parent-child relationship is stable throughout the lifespan
• More adult children (18-31) are moving back home with parents, and parents continue to provide financial support into late adulthood
• Positive interactions associated with increased parental well-being
• Having an adult child with problems associated with increased cortisol and poor well-being in parent
• How adult children “turn out” influences life satisfaction
• –Viewing adult children as needy/unsuccessful/struggling decreases life satisfaction
• –Viewing adult children as successful increases life satisfaction

Question 4

Grandparenthood

Answer 4

• As marriage and parenthood shifts to later in life, so too does becoming a grandparent
• –96% of Americans are grandparents by age 65 (AARP, 2018)

-1 in 10 live in same household as their grandchildren (5% of which are primary caregivers), but distance is biggest challenge for grandparents who want to spend time with grandkids

• A role and relationship that is rewarding and associated with positive mental health bidirectionally
• –For grandchildren, good relationships with grandparents associated with positive adjustment and few problem behaviors
• –For grandparents, helps satisfy generativity and provides a sense of immortality

ADULT HAPPINESS