A possible innovative association between the concept of inter-generational ambivalence and the emotions of guilt and shame in care-giving

Abstract

The present article suggests a tentative new theoretical association between the concept of intergenerational ambivalence and the emotions of guilt and shame in care-giving. The article bases the above suggestion on the paradigm of intergenerational ambivalence as well as on existential and psychological emotion theories dealing with guilt and shame. In certain typical care-giving situations (e.g., leading to institutionalization of the elderly) feelings of guilt can mirror personal-subjective ambivalence (micro level ambivalence) while feelings of shame can mirror institutional-structural ambivalence (macro level ambivalence). The article exempliWes this idea, using an empirical study, which was conducted in Israel (1995), about guilt emotions of care-givers in the Kibbutz versus the city, concerning the institutionalization of an elderly parent. In order to support this innovative concept in the gerontological literature, more updated empirical proof is yet needed. Conclusions and implications of the association between guilt, shame and intergenerational ambivalence are discussed, from theoretical and practical perspectives.

Ambivalence in Gay and Lesbian Family Relationships

“…In this way, psychological ambivalence is experienced in relation to—and as a result of—the broader structural contradictions of sociological ambivalence, although few studies have directly addressed the interaction of micro‐level psychological ambivalence and macro‐level sociological ambivalence (Connidis, ). Recent research suggests that intergenerational ambivalence is common in the parent–adult child tie (Peters, Hooker, & Zvonkivoc, ; Rappoport & Lowenstein, ). About 50% of parents report some degree of ambivalence toward their adult children (Fingerman, Hay, & Birditt, ; Pillemer & Suitor, ), and about 30% of adult children experience ambivalence toward their parents (van Gaalen & Dykstra, ; Willson et al, ).…”

Capturing the Complexity of Intergenerational Relations: Exploring Ambivalence within Later‐Life Families

“…Van Gaalen and Dykstra (2006) developed a typology of adult child–parent relationships using a large panel study; 29% of families were categorized as ambivalent. Recent qualitative studies have found some degree of intergenerational ambivalence to be present among most or all respondents (Peters, Hooker, & Zvonkovic, 2006; Rappoport & Lowenstein, 2007). Taken together, this set of studies provides strong support for extending the study of ambivalence in intergenerational relations.…”

Sociological Ambivalence Revisited

“…This is because empirical analysis has centred predominantly on interpersonal relationships at the expense of broader socio-structural explanations, focusing on the individual, the dyad, or an individual's engagement with others through networks of multiple dyads Katz, 2009;Lowenstein, 2007;Pillemer et al, 2007;Rappoport and Lowenstein, 2007;Ward, 2008;Willson et al, 2003Willson et al, , 2006. Equally, empirical assessment has relied largely on socio-psychological measurements even when the focus of study is potentially of a sociological nature in terms of the normative dimensions of ambivalence (Pillemer and Suitor, 2002: 606-7).…”