My children and me: midlife evaluations of grown children and of self.
Midlife parents (N = 215, M age = 53.7 years) were interviewed about how their adult children (M age = 27.6 years) had "turned out". These assessments were then related to parents' views of themselves. Perceived accomplishments and adjustment of children were expected to be positively linked with parents' well-being (e.g., self-acceptance, environmental mastery, purpose in life), and social comparisons were hypothesized to contribute to the link between parents' assessments of children and their own well-being. Multiple regression analyses revealed that children's perceived adjustment significantly predicted 6 of 7 well-being outcomes for mothers and fathers. Children's attainment was less strongly linked with parental outcomes. Personal comparisons were significant negative predictors--parents who saw their children as better adjusted than themselves had lower well-being.
Ryff
C D
CD
Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706.
Lee
Y H
YH
Essex
M J
MJ
Schmutte
P S
PS
D000124:Achievement; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000339:Affect; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006040:Goals; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D010290:Parents; D010465:Perception; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012649:Self Concept; D012647:Self-Assessment