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National estimates of kinship size and composition among adults with activity limitations in the United States

Author

Listed:
  • Adriana Reyes

    (Cornell University)

  • Robert Schoeni

    (University of Michigan)

  • Vicki Freedman

    (University of Michigan)

Abstract

Background: The number of adults living with limitations in daily activities in the United States is large, and projected to increase. Families, which are becoming more complex, are critical to the wellbeing of this population. Objective: We present national estimates of the size and composition of kin networks for adults with activity limitations. Methods: We use the 2013 Panel Study of Income Dynamics to assess kin relationships of adults aged 40 and older with an activity limitation. We assess kin relations up and down one generation and horizontally, including spouses, adult children, parents, siblings, step-kin, parent-in-laws, children-in-law, and sibling-in-laws. We estimate kinship size and differences across race/ethnicity, education, and marital status. We also estimate the number of helpers. Results: Adults with activity limitations have a substantial number of adult kin: 9.1 on average, while only 12% have fewer than four kin. Spouses and adult biological children, the most common caregivers, account for less than one-third of these kin. Kin networks are much larger among those who report their background as Hispanic rather than non-Hispanic white or Black, married rather than unmarried, and less-than-college rather than college-educated. Conclusions: Despite concerns about increasing family complexity, we find that 88% of individuals with a limitation have four or more family members, and as kin size increases the average number of kin helping increases from one to two. Contribution: We provide estimates of kinship size and composition for adults with disabilities, assessing the number of kin, types of kin, and sociodemographic differences.

Suggested Citation

  • Adriana Reyes & Robert Schoeni & Vicki Freedman, 2021. "National estimates of kinship size and composition among adults with activity limitations in the United States," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 45(36), pages 1097-1114.
    • Handle: RePEc:dem:demres:v:45:y:2021:i:36
    DOI: 10.4054/DemRes.2021.45.36
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Maxim Engers & Steven Stern, 2002. "Long-Term Care and Family Bargaining," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 43(1), pages 73-114, February.
    2. Rachel Margolis & Ashton M. Verdery, 2017. "Older Adults Without Close Kin in the United States," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 72(4), pages 688-693.
    3. Tennille J. Checkovich & Steven Stern, 2002. "Shared Caregiving Responsibilities of Adult Siblings with Elderly Parents," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 37(3), pages 441-478.
    4. Emily E. Wiemers & Judith A. Seltzer & Robert F. Schoeni & V. Joseph Hotz & Suzanne M. Bianchi, 2019. "Stepfamily Structure and Transfers Between Generations in U.S. Families," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 56(1), pages 229-260, February.
    5. Hiedemann, Bridget & Stern, Steven, 1999. "Strategic play among family members when making long-term care decisions," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 40(1), pages 29-57, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zohra Ansari-Thomas, 2024. "Sandwich Caregiving and Paid Work: Differences by Caregiving Intensity and Women’s Life Stage," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 43(1), pages 1-46, February.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    family; caregiving; disability; kinship;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J1 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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