“I don't care if you are 65, you are still my baby!”;: Examining parents’ communication motives throughout the life‐span

This study explored the interpersonal communication motives of parents throughout the life‐span. Parents (N = 342) ranging in age from 20 to 78 completed questionnaires assessing certain demographic information and their motives for communicating interpersonally (ICM) with a target child. Parents reported talking with their children primarily for relationally oriented reasons—to show affection, for pleasure, or to relax. However, differences were found among the various parental age groups on the use of 3 of the 6 communication motives. Implications for supporting a life‐span approach to studying communication and aging are discussed.