Beyond Proximity: How Kin Network Structure and Resources Shape Family Relationship Configurations in Later Life
Amy Spring1, Elizabeth Ackert2, Xiaoqing Li1
1Department of Sociology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia.
The Gerontologist
|August 13, 2026
Summary
Older adults
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Sociology
- Family Studies
Background:
- Older adults increasingly live apart from family.
- Geographic dispersion impacts family dynamics and support systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a typology of family relationship configurations for older adults.
- To examine how kin network structures influence these configurations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) data.
- Employed latent class analysis to identify relationship profiles.
- Analyzed geographic proximity, kin network size, and socioeconomic resources.
Main Results:
- Identified four profiles: harmonious/detached, isolated, strained givers, and tight-knit.
- Proximity to kin strongly predicts relationship types.
- Kin's financial stability influences relationship configurations.
Conclusions:
- Older adults' family experiences are diverse, extending beyond co-residence.
- Geographic proximity, kin type, and economic resources shape family ties.
- Findings emphasize the complex network ecology influencing family relationships in later life.
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