: Ward’s recent work pursues his longstanding interest in aging and family relations. An article co-authored with Glenna Spitze (Journal of Gerontology, 2004) extends their research program on various dimensions of co-residence of adult children with older parents. It uses National Survey of Families and Households panel data to assess implications for parental marital quality of moves in and out of the “nest” by adult children. Contrary to expectations, co-residence does not appear to disrupt marital quality; rather, it is experienced as part of on-going and expected parent-child exchange. Another article by these two investigators, looking at how the quality of parent-child and marital relationships affects the likelihood of adult children staying at home, as well as how co-residence affects these relationships, will appear in Research on Aging. An article coauthored with Spitze and Susan Sherman (Journal of Housing for the Elderly, 2005) uses market survey data to assess patterns of interest by older people in intergenerational housing incorporating graduate student families. The distinctive features of this proposed housing are not strongly related to receptivity, indicating that education is needed for this novel housing concept and planning must explicitly encourage intergenerational involvement.
Externally funded research
None.
Work
in progress and pending/planned research projects
An NICHD proposal, resulting from a collaboration with Spitze and Glenn Deane, is pending, and funding is anticipated (Priority Score: 129, Percentile: 2.5). The proposed research will use the innovative files and panel data of the NSFH to study whether changes in parent and adult-child circumstances and relations affect relations of parents with other children. This is an unusual effort to look at family as a network of ties that affect one another, perhaps reflecting overall solidarity and familism or a more competitive structure that reflects the needs and resources of parents and specific children. Other work by Ward is assessing the ways by which parents’ relations with multiple children may combine to affect parent well-being. Related to this are the patterns, sources, and outcomes of change over time in networks and support “convoys” in middle and later life.
Contribution
to the population research program
Ward’s interests in various dimensions of population and individual aging, intergenerational relations at both family and societal levels, and other aspects of family structure and functioning connect well with the signature research theme on the life course. Ward has also collaborated with colleagues involved in the program, including Glenna Spitze and Glenn Deane.
Use of infrastructure cores and activities
Ward’s research has benefited from use of the computing infrastructure, statistical consultation, and assistance with data access. He also has drawn on Administrative Core assistance with grant application (e.g., the highly ranked NICHD application noted above), and he will rely on it for grant management if the pending support is awarded.