Diversity and Dynamics in Late-Life Mother-Daughter Relationships

SUMMARY

We employed gerontological and feminist frameworks in an investigation of normative late-life mother-daughter relationships. Building on previous research, we used data from a representative sample of older mothers to explore in depth the predictors of relationship quality and the satisfactions and complaints prevalent in relationships with mothers in later life. Structured interview data revealed that the intimacy dimension of relationship quality is influenced by contact satisfaction, past conflict, control issues, and amount of discretionary contact whereas the antagonism dimension is affected by present conflict, control issues, and mother's education. Analysis of semistructured interview data showed that elements of companionship, cohesion, and conflict underscore perceptions of relationship quality. The discussion and conclusion locate the findings within the gerontology-feminist literature and provide implications for researchers and practitioners.