No abstract

Existing studies have failed to adequately determine the combined effects of attachment and filial obligation as motives for adult children's caregiving behavior. This study's aim was to clarify the effects of these motives on caregiving and subsequent feelings of burden. In a path analysis of data from 78 daughters caring for elderly mothers, both attachment and obligation were related to amount of help provided. Stronger attachment was related to less subjective burden, whereas stronger obligation was related to greater burden. Contextual variables also contributed to the explanation.

No abstract

Terror management theory asserts that death fear (fear of annihilation) is buffered by self-esteem and beliefs in literal and symbolic immortality achieved through participation in the cultural system. The aims of this study were to determine how variables suggested by the theory were related to fear of death measures. Participants were 123 Black and 265 White elders aged 60 to 100 years; they were assessed on the Multidimensional Fear of Death Scale (MFODS), self-esteem, religiosity, locus of control, socioeconomic status, social support, and health. Regression analysis findings ( p <.05) offered partial support to the theory, with greater Fear of the Unknown (fear of annihilation) related to weaker religiosity, less social support, and greater externality; the effect of self-esteem was mediated by externality. Other predictors were related to an overall fear score based on the remaining 7 MFODS subscales. Findings are interpreted in terms of changing sources of self-esteem in old age.

No abstract