ࡗ Explaining Mothers' Ambivalence Toward Their Adult ChildrenInterest in applying the concept of ambivalence to the study of intergenerational relations has increased in recent years. However, few empirical studies of this issue have been conducted. Using data from a study of 189 mothers aged 60 and over, the authors examine sources of ambivalence regarding the quality of their relationships with adult children. They hypothesized that adult children's failure to achieve and maintain normative adult statuses and financial independence and mother's developmental stage will predict ambivalent assessments of the relationship. Regression analyses supported these hypotheses and also revealed that the variables predicting ambivalence differed from those that predicted closeness and interpersonal stress.Throughout recorded history, there has been interest in understanding the causes and consequences of the complex relationship between parents and children in adulthood. Although concerns are frequently expressed about the weakening of intergenerational ties, the evidence demonstrates the continued importance and influence of these

Multiple studies report significant interpersonal stress between family members of nursing home residents and facility staff members. Partners in Caregiving appears to be an effective way to improve family-staff relationships in nursing homes.

This article reports on a study that incorporates two dimensions of complexity in intergenerational relations. First, the article focuses on ambivalence: the simultaneous existence of positive and negative sentiments in the older parent-adult child relationship. Second, the research described here applies a within-family design

These findings indicate that within-family differences in support to children continue across the life course. Such variations within the family underscore the importance of using designs that provide information on relationships between parents and each of their children, rather than focusing on single parent-child dyads.

This article uses quantitative and qualitative data from 424 mothers' relationships with 1,494 adult children to explore gender differences in mothers' choices of children as sources of support and closeness. Despite strong theoretical arguments regarding the priority of the motherdaughter tie, empirical research has not provided consistent support for this pattern. This article explores whether inconsistent findings regarding the priority of mother-daughter relationships result from the way in which intergenerational affect is generally measured. In contrast to traditional measures that ask parents to rate their closeness to each child, the measures used here ask mothers to choose among their children. This method revealed a consistent pattern of preference for daughters over sons as sources of emotional and instrumental support, primarily on the basis of shared values and gender-specific similarities.