Childhood memories, family ties, sibling support and loneliness in ever-widowed older adults

Eva-Maria Merz, Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI)
Jenny Gierveld, Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI)

The current study intended to shed light on the role of family relationships across the life course in coping with loneliness among ever-widowed older adults. Particular attention was paid to childhood memories, the evaluation of family ties and current support from siblings and adult children. We used survey data from the Netherlands Kinship Panel Study and additional in-depth interviews from a subsample of 18 ever-widowed adults aged 50 years or more. Quantitative analyses examined the association among childhood experiences of relationship with parents, family ties, and sibling and adult child support with loneliness in later life. By using qualitative data we intended to elucidate how ever-widowed older adults memorize childhood relations with parents and siblings in the parental home and how they experience current relations with family members. Both quantitative and qualitative data showed that emotional support from siblings was an important source in reducing loneliness of ever-widowed older adults. Additionally, positive memories of childhood relationships with father and mother, and a positive evaluation of current family ties were negatively related to loneliness. Given the importance of social relationships for alleviating loneliness, especially during negative life events, research detailing how relationships in childhood and adulthood are supportive is a central issue on the social research agenda.