Trait and state components of perceived parental differential treatment in middle adulthood. A longitudinal study.

in Journal of Individual Differences (2010), 31(3), 158-165

Despite its importance for basic and applied psychology, only a few longitudinal studies have examined whether parental differential treatment (PDT) is a persistent or a transient phenomenon, these ... [more ▼]

Despite its importance for basic and applied psychology, only a few longitudinal studies have examined whether parental differential treatment (PDT) is a persistent or a transient phenomenon, these studies being confined to childhood or adolescence. Based on latent state-trait theory, the present study identified the amount of variance in three dimensions of perceived PDT in middle adulthood attributable to stable interindividual differences (trait variance) and to intraindividual changes (state variance). At two occasions of measurement (2 years apart), 709 middle-aged adults rated how often they and a sibling currently received parental recognition, nurture, and demand to assume filial responsibility. Tests of latent state-trait models for these three dimensions of PDT by structural equation modeling revealed that trait variance represented the largest proportion of the systematic variance in all observed indicators of perceived maternal and paternal differential treatment. Yet there was a considerable increase in state variance for the dimension of differential parental demand for assuming responsibility. Results are discussed with respect to the conditions accounting for the high overall stability of actual and/or perceived PDT in adulthood, and different approaches for determining their role are proposed. [less ▲]

Self-regulatory strategies and well-being. Retaining a sense of mastery and satisfaction in old age

in Gerontologist (2009), 49(S2), 8-8

Change for the better or change for the worse? Perceived changes as a consequence of an adverse life event and their associations with ruminative thoughts.

in International Journal of Psychology (2008)

Vorhersage elternbezogener Schuldgefühle bei Kindern im mittleren Erwachsenenalter

in Zeitschrift für Entwicklungspsychologie und Padagogische Psychologie (2002), 34(2), 95-105

Based on analyses of the cognitive-evaluative structure of guilt feelings and of the normative context of parent-child-relations, the present study aimed at identifying predictors of parent-related ... [more ▼]

Based on analyses of the cognitive-evaluative structure of guilt feelings and of the normative context of parent-child-relations, the present study aimed at identifying predictors of parent-related feelings of guilt in a sample of middle-aged children. 300 respondents (daughters and sons) aged 41 to 51 years were enrolled in a questionnaire study. Though, parent-related feelings of guilt were rather infrequent on the level of means, substantial interindividual differences were observed. These differences could be predicted from two sets of variables, (1) children’s self-perceived violations of filial obligations and (2) reproachful behaviours on the side of parents. About one fourth of the variance in feelings of guilt could be explained. Feelings of guilt were particularly frequent in children (in particular daughters) who had little (superficial) contact with their parents, and who avoided conflict with their parents, when – at the same time – parents were rated to be low in subjective well-being, and whose parents lived alone. In addition, feelings of guilt were enhanced with an increase in parent’s bossiness, especially when addressed to children scoring low in self-esteem. Results are discussed with respect to additional self-perceived violations of filial obligations and cognitive appraisals of responsibility, that could further improve the prediction of parent-related feelings of guilt. [less ▲]

Die Transformation des Selbst in der Auseinandersetzung mit kritischen Lebensereignissen

in G. Jüttemann, & H. Thomae (Eds.), Persönlichkeit und Entwicklung (2002)

Positivity in aged’s perceptions of intergenerational relationships: A “stake” or a “leniency” effect?

in International Journal of Behavioral Development (2000), 24(2), 173-182

The ‘‘developmental stake hypothesis’’ has been proposed for the frequent finding that aged parents consistently report higher levels of closeness to and consensus with their (adult) children than these ... [more ▼]

The ‘‘developmental stake hypothesis’’ has been proposed for the frequent finding that aged parents consistently report higher levels of closeness to and consensus with their (adult) children than these children do themselves. This study investigated an alternative hypothesis: Drawing on research on prosocial behaviour in old age, it proposes that the aged tend to construe all social relationships in a positively biased manner (‘‘leniency hypothesis’’). Using a quasi-experimental (vignette) approach, scenarios describing two family members discussing a controversial issue were presented to 809 middle-aged (aged 40 to 50 years) and aged subjects (65 to 75 years). The lineage composition of the dyads of family members in the scenarios (i.e. aged parent and adult child vs. two adult siblings) was varied systematically as a between-subjects factor, and the controversial issue was varied as a within-subjects factor. Dependent variables were the participants’ evaluative and prescriptive judgements on the protagonists’ behaviour and the quality of their relationship. Overall, results showed that the aged perceived all scenarios in a significantly more positive light than middle-aged participants, regardless of their lineage composition. Thus, a ‘‘positivity bias’’ was observed in judgements of both intergenerational as well as intragenerational dyads, and it is concluded that the leniency hypothesis provides a better account of these findings than the stake hypothesis. [less ▲]

Soziale und temporale Vergleiche als Formen der Lebensbewältigung im Alter.

Report (1999)

Who blames the victim? Kausal- und Verantwortlichkeitszuschreibungen im Umfeld einer Krebserkrankung

in U. Koch, & J. Weis (Eds.), Krankheitsbewältigung bei Krebs und Möglichkeiten der Unterstützung. Der Förderschwerpunkt "Rehabilitation von Krebskranken" (1998)

Befindlichkeitsregulation durch temporale und soziale Vergleichsprozesse im Alter?

in Zeitschrift für Klinische Psychologie, Psychopathologie und Psychotherapie (1998), 27(2)

Retrospektive Bewertungen des eigenen Lebens: LZG – Lebenszufriedenheits-Graph.

in Zeitschrift für Entwicklungspsychologie und Padagogische Psychologie (1997), 29(1)