The Family Safety Net of Black and White Multigenerational Families

The Social Division of Care Work Time Over Half a Century

This study introduces a demographic framework to analyze the social division of care work time, defined as the sum of paid and unpaid care work time provided to children and adults in a population. Combining data from the American Heritage Time Use Survey (AHTUS) and the Current Population Survey Annual Social and Economic Supplement (CPS-ASEC), we focus on routine interactive care and analyze how the volume and social division of this care work has evolved in the United States over a half century (1965-2018). Results reveal relative stability in the division of care work across domains (paid vs. unpaid and child vs. adult) but substantial change across social groups (by gender and race). The share of total care work provided by paid caregivers remained stable, challenging expectations about defamilialization, whereas the share of total care work going to adults increased over time. Gender and race inequality in total care work time experienced notable declines. Analyses show that these changes are driven by men's increased involvement in unpaid childcare and non-White women's declined involvement in some paid care jobs, respectively. Our framework provides new tools to examine how demographic, social, and economic changes impact the social organization of care work time.

Aging Alone (While Black): Living Alone, Loneliness, and Health Among Older Black Women

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Increasingly, Black women are aging alone. Yet information about health correlates and the residential context where older Black women are aging-in-place is lacking. The current study examines one aspect of Aging While Black that affects Black women-living alone without close family or kin in the household - among a sample of older Black women (N = 890).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Using hierarchical linear models and data from the 2014/2015 and 2019 waves of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Household Health Survey, living alone status (e.g., Level 1) and area-level indicators of residential segregation and social capital (e.g., Level 2) are examined as correlates of self-rated health and loneliness.

RESULTS

Our findings indicate that while Black women live in primarily segregated areas, living alone is associated with lower odds of loneliness and has no relation to self-rated health. Additionally, area-level social capital is correlated with a lower likelihood of reported loneliness.

DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS

These results are somewhat contrary to the current aging-in-place literature that claims that living alone always contributes to social isolation, loneliness, and poorer health. For older Black women in urban settings, living alone may reflect independence rather than loneliness. Efforts to increase community supports and opportunities for maintaining social connectedness should be considered for future research and age-friendly policies.

Networks of Negativity: Gaining Attention Through Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying entails multiple, problematic consequences for its victims. However, little is known about the factors that influence the dispersion of these damaging messages. Drawing on theories of social interaction, we argue that perpetrators disseminate messages containing sexist and racist slurs that reinforce stereotypical, social norms to enhance their online visibility. We collected cross-sectional and longitudinal samples of tweets (N = 539,558 and 248,497, respectively) that included either gender or Asian slurs. We find that tweets containing gender or Asian slurs that were more negative in sentiment had a significantly higher number of retweets than more positive tweets, thereby heightening a user's online presence and the reach of their content. Two historical events unfolded during our study-the onset of COVID-19 and the murder of George Floyd by a police officer. Tweet negativity increased following both events. Our findings demonstrate the capacity of aggressive tweets to generate wide-ranging networks, a process which is exacerbated further by public crises. Results suggest that the practice of sending such messages is strategic. Perpetrators likely engage in cyberbullying, consciously or not, to increase their online attention. Moreover, this strategy appears to be successful.

The Cumulative Burden of Social Risk Factors and 10-Year Change in Quality of Life

BACKGROUND

Social risk factors are linked to adverse health outcomes, but their total impact on long-term quality of life is obscure. We hypothesized that a higher burden of social risk factors is associated with greater decline in quality of life over 10 years.

METHODS

We examined associations between social risk factors count and decline >5 points in (i) physical component summary, and (ii) mental component summary scores from the Short Form-12 among Black and White participants in the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke study (n = 14 401).

RESULTS

For physical component summary, White participants with 1 social risk factor had relative risk (RR) for decline of 1.14 [95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.07-1.12]. Those with ≥2 social risk factors had RR of 1.26 [95% CI: 1.17-1.35], after adjusting for baseline demographics, health behaviors, medical conditions, medications, and physiological variables. Black participants with 1 social risk factor had RR of 1.03 [95% CI: 0.93-1.15]. Those with ≥2 social risk factors had RR of 1.24 [95% CI: 1.13-1.36]. For mental component summary, White participants with 1 social risk factor had RR for decline of 1.19 [95% CI: 1.04-1.37]. Those with ≥2 social risk factors had RR of 1.47 [95% CI: 1.28-1.68]. Black participants with 1 social risk factor had RR of 1.18 [95% CI: 0.96-1.45]. Those with ≥2 social risk factors had RR of 1.38 [95% CI: 1.14-1.66].

CONCLUSIONS

More social risk factors increased the risk of decline of quality of life for Black and White individuals, especially impacting mental health.

Talk of Family: How Institutional Overlap Shapes Family-Related Discourse Across Social Class

We develop a novel application of machine learning and apply it to the interview transcripts from the American Voices Project (N = 1,396), using discourse atom topic modeling to explore social class variation in the centrality of family in adults' lives. We take a two-phase approach, first analyzing transcripts at the person level and then at the line level. Our findings suggest that family, as represented by talk, is more central in the lives of those without a college degree than among the college educated. However, the degree of institutional overlap between family and other key institutions-health, work, religion, and criminal justice-does not vary by education. We interpret these findings in the context of debates about the deinstitutionalization of family in the contemporary United States. This demonstrates the value of a new method for analyzing qualitative interview data at scale. We address ways to expand the use of this method to shed light on educational disparities.

Sibling Availability, Sibling Sorting, and Subjective Health Among Chinese Adults

Despite rising numbers of only children in China, little is known about their family dynamics and well-being in adulthood-for example, how often they marry other only children and whether those in siblingless families have worse or better health than others. Theoretical expectations produce opposing predictions: siblings might provide social and emotional support and reduce parental caregiving pressures, but only children might receive more support from parents and grandparents. Using the 2010 China Family Panel Study, we examine marital sorting on Chinese adults' number of siblings and test whether sibling availability and sibling sorting are associated with subjective physical and mental health. Despite general perceptions that China has an exceedingly high prevalence of adults with no siblings that might produce very small families, results demonstrate a low prevalence of siblingless couples (i.e., both spouses are only children). Married adults with no siblings or siblings-in-law have better subjective physical health but similar levels of subjective mental health relative to their counterparts with siblings. The health advantages of siblingless marital unions are greater for rural and female adults. Declining sibling prevalence in China will shape future family demographic dynamics but appears less detrimental to population health than sometimes assumed.

Interactions between COVID-19 family home disruptions and relationships predicting college students' mental health over time

The present study tested whether family home disruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Spring 2020 (Time 1; T1) informed mental health (i.e., posttraumatic stress disorder [PTSD], depressive, and anxiety symptoms) 7 months later in Fall 2020 at T2 and whether family relationship quality moderated relations. Multigroup path analysis models were used to test whether there were significant differences in relations by emerging adults' ethnic-racial backgrounds. Participants were 811 Black, Asian American, Latine, and White emerging adult college students (Mage = 19.95, SD = .33), and the majority (79.6%) who reported their gender identified as cisgender women. Results indicated that across all individuals, T1 family relationship quality moderated relations between T1 family home disruptions and T2 anxiety and depressive symptoms. At lower levels of T1 family relationship quality, family home disruptions predicted greater T2 depressive and anxiety symptoms. At higher levels of T1 family relationship quality, these relations were not significant. Findings highlight that family relationship quality is an important protective factor for diverse emerging adult college students. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Cohabiting Adult Children's Transfers to Parents in the United States

Objective

This brief report presents national estimates of transfers of time and money from cohabiting adult children (ages 18 to 65) to their parents (own and in-laws) to test whether cohabiting adults give differently from their counterparts.

Background

Previous U.S. studies use data collected in the late 1980s and mid-1990s, when cohabitation was an emerging family form; they find mixed results. Rising rates of cohabitation and an aging population of parents who may rely on transfers from adult children necessitate updated estimates that can help develop the theory of institutionalization of cohabitation.

Method

This study used the 2013 Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) Rosters and Transfers Module, a sample of U.S. households (N=6,340), and logistic and negative binomial models to estimate the likelihood of giving any time or any money to parents by the respondent's union status, the amounts given, and parent type (own, in-laws).

Results

Cohabitors were less likely to give time to their own parents than their never married counterparts, and gave fewer hours, but were more likely to give time and gave more hours than married adults. For financial transfers to own parents, cohabitors and married respondents gave similarly, but both were less likely to give any money than are single respondents. Cohabitators gave more hours to their in-laws than married respondents.

Conclusion

Cohabitors behave somewhere in-between marital "greedy institution" norms and broader norms of solidarity with parents. More work should be done to understand how union status affects transfers to parents.

The Role of Kinship in Racial Differences in Exposure to Unemployment

Most studies on unemployment have assessed its individual-level costs. However, beyond its effects on individuals, unemployment incurs costs for their immediate families and extended kin. Close kin provide the majority of social support for unemployed adults. Applying demographic and statistical techniques to official statistics and using COVID-19 survey data on kinship and labor force experience, we assess the unemployment level and exposure to unemployment in the United States from a kinship perspective. The results indicate dramatic racial disparities in the number of unemployed kin and the number of kin affected by an unemployed person. Specifically, during the pandemic-induced recession, Black Americans had 1.7 unemployed people in their extended family compared with 1.2 among Whites. Further, every job loss in a Black extended family affected approximately 23 related members of the family through kinship ties, compared with approximately 20 among Whites. The racial gap in the number of unemployed kin is evident in all age-groups and escalates with age. This study's findings highlight the need to understand unemployment and its demographic implications, which are stratified by race.

Association between city-wide lockdown and COVID-19 hospitalization rates in multigenerational households in New York City

Background

City-wide lockdowns and school closures have demonstrably impacted COVID-19 transmission. However, simulation studies have suggested an increased risk of COVID-19 related morbidity for older individuals inoculated by house-bound children. This study examines whether the March 2020 lockdown in New York City (NYC) was associated with higher COVID-19 hospitalization rates in neighborhoods with larger proportions of multigenerational households.

Methods

We obtained daily age-segmented COVID-19 hospitalization counts in each of 166 ZIP code tabulation areas (ZCTAs) in NYC. Using Bayesian Poisson regression models that account for spatiotemporal dependencies between ZCTAs, as well as socioeconomic risk factors, we conducted a difference-in-differences study amongst ZCTA-level hospitalization rates from February 23 to May 2, 2020. We compared ZCTAs in the lowest quartile of multigenerational housing to other quartiles before and after the lockdown.

Findings

Among individuals over 55 years, the lockdown was associated with higher COVID-19 hospitalization rates in ZCTAs with more multigenerational households. The greatest difference occurred three weeks after lockdown: Q2 vs. Q1: 54% increase (95% Bayesian credible intervals: 22–96%); Q3 vs. Q1: 48% (17–89%); Q4 vs. Q1: 66% (30–211%). After accounting for pandemic-related population shifts, a significant difference was observed only in Q4 ZCTAs: 37% (7–76%).

Interpretation

By increasing house-bound mixing across older and younger age groups, city-wide lockdown mandates imposed during the growth of COVID-19 cases may have inadvertently, but transiently, contributed to increased transmission in multigenerational households.

Gender, union formation, and assortative mating among older women

This paper presents a search-theoretic model of union formation among women, aged 55 and older. Specifically, it provides new estimates of gender differentials in cohabitation and marriage at older ages, and documents recent patterns of assortative mating using data from the 2008-2017 American Community Survey. Our analyses reveal that cohabitation represents a much smaller share of all older unmarried women, all partnered women, and all women in comparison to patterns observed among their male counterparts. The results also reveal highly uneven patterns of union formation by age, race and marital history, which reflect demographically uneven constraints and preferences. Our analyses also document, for the first time, patterns of assortative mating at older ages. Shortages of similarly-aged men, especially among older African American women, seemingly heighten the likelihood of demographically mismatched unions. Older women are less likely to form unions with same-race or economically attractive partners, defined as men having a college-degree. This study shows that older single women, in general, are at a comparative disadvantage in the marriage market, both in forming co-residential unions and in finding partners who match their own social, demographic, and economic profiles. This paper highlights considerable heterogeneity in the experiences of America's older women. It calls for new theoretical approaches that acknowledge the unequal resources and bargaining power among older women in the marriage market.

COVID-19 Vaccine Sentiments Among African American or Black Adolescents in Rural Alabama

Considering the urgent need to increase vaccine uptake in Alabama, a rural state with the lowest rates of COVID-19 vaccination in the country, we conducted an exploratory study to elucidate sentiments toward vaccination among African American or black adolescents. We conducted in-depth interviews with 15-17 year olds in rural Alabama (N = 28). About 54% of our sample were female. Nearly a third lived with an older family member; 18% knew someone who contracted COVID-19. Using Rapid Qualitative Analysis, 3 COVID-19 vaccine-related themes emerged: influence of community leaders and older family members, fear of side effects and misinformation, and institutional distrust. To address COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among rural African American or black adolescents, we suggest adopting a socioecological approach to public health messaging that addresses misinformation and government distrust and is delivered by local influencers with the social capital necessary to promote behavior change, namely older family members and Church officials.

Association between overcrowded households, multigenerational households, and COVID-19: a cohort study

OBJECTIVES

The role of overcrowded and multigenerational households as a risk factor for COVID-19 remains unmeasured. The objective of this study is to examine and quantify the association between overcrowded and multigenerational households and COVID-19 in New York City (NYC).

STUDY DESIGN

Cohort study.

METHODS

We conducted a Bayesian ecological time series analysis at the ZIP Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA) level in NYC to assess whether ZCTAs with higher proportions of overcrowded (defined as the proportion of the estimated number of housing units with more than one occupant per room) and multigenerational households (defined as the estimated percentage of residences occupied by a grandparent and a grandchild less than 18 years of age) were independently associated with higher suspected COVID-19 case rates (from NYC Department of Health Syndromic Surveillance data for March 1 to 30, 2020). Our main measure was an adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) of suspected COVID-19 cases per 10,000 population. Our final model controlled for ZCTA-level sociodemographic factors (median income, poverty status, White race, essential workers), the prevalence of clinical conditions related to COVID-19 severity (obesity, hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes, asthma, smoking status, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and spatial clustering.

RESULTS

39,923 suspected COVID-19 cases were presented to emergency departments across 173 ZCTAs in NYC. Adjusted COVID-19 case rates increased by 67% (IRR 1.67, 95% CI = 1.12, 2.52) in ZCTAs in quartile four (versus one) for percent overcrowdedness and increased by 77% (IRR 1.77, 95% CI = 1.11, 2.79) in quartile four (versus one) for percent living in multigenerational housing. Interaction between both exposures was not significant (β_interaction = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.99-1.00).

CONCLUSIONS

Overcrowdedness and multigenerational housing are independent risk factors for suspected COVID-19. In the early phase of the surge in COVID cases, social distancing measures that increase house-bound populations may inadvertently but temporarily increase SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk and COVID-19 disease in these populations.

Household Composition, Income, and Body Mass Index Among Adults by Race/Ethnicity and Sex

OBJECTIVE

Disparities in obesity highlight the need for an examination of determinants that may be uniquely experienced by race and sex. An understudied factor is household composition with the potential for variation in its obesogenic impacts. This study examines the association between household composition and body mass index (BMI) among Black, Hispanic, and White adults and determines whether income moderates these associations.

METHODS

Using cross-sectional data from the 2011-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the number of children and adults aged ≥ 60 years in the household were reported among non-Hispanic Black and White adults as well as Hispanic adults aged 20-59 years old. Multivariable linear regressions were used to assess the associations between household composition and BMI with income as a potential moderator.

RESULTS

Having multiple school-aged children was associated with higher BMI (β = 1.34, standard error (s.e.) = 0.50) among Hispanic men, while having older adults in the household was associated with lower BMI among Black women (β = - 3.21, s.e. = 1.42). Income moderated the associations between household composition and BMI among Black women and men. There were no associations between household composition and BMI in White women or men.

CONCLUSIONS

Future studies should further explicate the mechanisms of household composition that uniquely impact obesity outcomes among Black women and men by income. Efforts to address higher BMI among those with more young children in the household should target Hispanic men.

Association between overcrowded households, multigenerational households, and COVID-19: a cohort study

Introduction

The role of overcrowded and multigenerational households as a risk factor for COVID-19 remains unmeasured. The objective of this study is to examine and quantify the association between overcrowded and multigenerational households, and COVID-19 in New York City (NYC).

Methods

We conducted a Bayesian ecological time series analysis at the ZIP Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA) level in NYC to assess whether ZCTAs with higher proportions of overcrowded (defined as proportion of estimated number of housing units with more than one occupant per room) and multigenerational households (defined as the estimated percentage of residences occupied by a grandparent and a grandchild less than 18 years of age) were independently associated with higher suspected COVID-19 case rates (from NYC Department of Health Syndromic Surveillance data for March 1 to 30, 2020). Our main measure was adjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR) of suspected COVID-19 cases per 10,000 population. Our final model controlled for ZCTA-level sociodemographic factors (median income, poverty status, White race, essential workers), prevalence of clinical conditions related to COVID-19 severity (obesity, hypertension, coronary heart disease, diabetes, asthma, smoking status, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), and spatial clustering.

Results

39,923 suspected COVID-19 cases presented to emergency departments across 173 ZCTAs in NYC. Adjusted COVID-19 case rates increased by 67% (IRR 1.67, 95% CI = 1.12, 2.52) in ZCTAs in quartile four (versus one) for percent overcrowdedness and increased by 77% (IRR 1.77, 95% CI = 1.11, 2.79) in quartile four (versus one) for percent living in multigenerational housing. Interaction between both exposures was not significant (β _interaction = 0.99, 95% CI: 0.99-1.00).

Conclusions

Over-crowdedness and multigenerational housing are independent risk factors for suspected COVID-19. In the early phase of surge in COVID cases, social distancing measures that increase house-bound populations may inadvertently but temporarily increase SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk and COVID-19 disease in these populations.

Multigenerational social support in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic

Research documents high levels of instrumental, financial, and expressive support exchanges within multigenerational families in the 21st century. The COVID-19 pandemic poses unique challenges to support exchanges between the generations; however, the pandemic may provide opportunities for greater solidarity within families. In this review, we draw from theoretical perspectives that have been used to study family relationships to understand the implications of the pandemic for multigenerational families: the life course perspective, the intergenerational solidarity model, and rational choice/social exchange theory. We review literature on multigenerational relationships in the United States and discuss how established social support patterns and processes may be altered by the COVID-19 pandemic. We reflect on how the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on multigenerational relationships may vary by gender, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Finally, we provide directions for future researchers to pursue in order to understand the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on multigenerational ties.

The Education of Multiple Family Members and the Life-Course Pathways to Cognitive Impairment

OBJECTIVES

This article asks how the educational attainments of multiple family members, including parents and offspring, are associated with the cognitive health of older adults in the United States.

METHODS

We use panel data from the U.S. Health and Retirement Study (2000-2012) to examine how the education of an individual, their parent(s), and their offspring are associated with the prevalence of moderate/severe cognitive impairment and the onset of cognitive impairment among older adults using logistic regression and discrete-time event history analysis, respectively.

RESULTS

We found that when combined, only the education of the individual is inversely associated with cognitive impairment at baseline. However, both the educational attainments of an individual and their offspring are negatively associated with the risk of becoming cognitively impaired, among individuals who were not already cognitively impaired. Conversely, parental education was not predictive of being cognitively impaired or the onset of impairment. Furthermore, we found that respondent gender did not moderate the relationship between a family member's education and respondent cognitive health.

DISCUSSION

This study adds to current research by asking how resources from earlier and subsequent generations matter for older adults' cognitive health. Although we found little evidence that parental education matters at this life stage, results suggest that offspring education has a salient positive effect on later-life cognitive health. This finding underscores an overlooked source of health disparities-offspring resources-and highlights how a family perspective remains a powerful tool for understanding health inequalities in later life.