Conference Agenda

The increasing predominance of the “beanpole” family, a structure characterized by multiple ties across generations but fewer within one generation, has led most scholars to focus on parent-child relationships, overlooking the relevance of the broader kinship network and its geographical spread. Proximity reveals patterns of potential support networks associated with subnational heterogeneities in both family norms and needs. Using data on generations born between 1951 and 1966 from an Italian nationally-representative survey, we provide new evidence on how geographical proximity is associated with kinship type (parents, children, siblings) and the geographical location of the anchor generation at the province level. Our results from three-level random slope logistic regression models on the probability of living within a 15km radius show that middle-aged Italians are more likely to live near their parents and children than to their siblings, indicative of stronger obligations in vertical compared to horizontal ties. There are variations across Italian provinces, with Southern areas generally characterized by closer proximity to kin, particularly to siblings and parents, compared to Northern areas. The geographical spread of kin across Southern and Northern areas is partially explained by traditional family norms and high unemployment rates, providing support to the so-called ‘crowding out’ hypothesis.

This study contributes to the literature on heterogeneities in intergenerational relationships in Europe. Methodologically, we first review and compare different approaches used in the European Social Survey (ESS) and in the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) to measure parent-child contact. In a second step, we employ a simulation approach to assess how varying methodological choices, such as the focus on one randomly selected child versus all children, impact cross-national estimates of parent-child contact. Substantially, this research provides the largely required updated insights into parent-child contact patterns across European countries, accounting for the methodological differences across surveys. The (preliminary) results reveal significant variability in the frequency and type of contact – face-to-face, by phone, and digital – reflecting diverse family dynamics across Europe. Northern countries show a preference for digital communication, while Southern and Eastern countries maintain more traditional forms of interaction. By accounting for dataset-specific issues, the study offers a more accurate portrayal of cross-national differences, challenging the conventional strong-weak family system dichotomy.

This study investigated the effects of family relations on older adults’ digital technology use. Leveraging data from the Swiss sample of the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), we addressed two research questions: (RQ1) To what extent is having a partner, children and grandchildren associated with older people’s digital technology use? (RQ2) How are subsidiary aspects of family relationships – such as geographical distance and frequency of contact – associated with older adults’ digital technology use? Overall, the results showed that having children and grandchildren was associated with an increased use of digital tools. Regarding the effects of marital status, we found that being widowed or divorced was related to a greater use of digital devices. Mixed outcomes emerged on the frequency of contact and closeness between old parents and their children.

The main theme of this work is the use of social networks by people aged 60 and over, with a particular focus on Facebook, using data collected through a survey conducted via advertisements on the Meta platform. A fundamental methodological aspect of this work is the weighting of the data collected through the questionnaire, necessary to address the selection bias that often emerges in surveys conducted on platforms like Facebook. Three weighting methods were applied: post-stratification, raking, and quasi-randomization, incorporating both sociodemographic variables and online skill indicators. The research highlighted the importance of including online skill variables in weighting to achieve accurate representation and reduce sampling bias. The study revealed that Facebook is the most popular platform among older internet users (93%), followed by WhatsApp (72%) and Instagram (30%). Primary usage motivations include communication with friends and family, staying informed, and connecting with younger generations. Visual representations of social media relationships showed that most respondents view these platforms as a means to connect with younger family members.

Parents and children are engaged in various types of mutual support across their lifespan. Support arrangements are diverse and their consequences for individuals’ well-being appear to be complex. Previous research has identified physical health determinants for receiving support and mental health consequences of providing care. Being interested in the broader health consequences of intergenerational support, we aim at filling major gaps in the literature by distinguishing intergenerational support along three dimensions: giving vs. receiving support, upward vs. downward intergenerational support, and practical support vs. financial transfers, as well as by investigating both subjective and objective markers of physical and mental health as outcomes.

Based on data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), we apply fixed effects models to adults aged 60 years or older, who have at least one living parent and one child between 25 and 60 years. We find stable patterns of lower mental but not physical health among providers of practical support upwardly. We further find better physical health among those who provide practical support downwardly, and lower health overall (both physical and mental) among those who provide financial support downwardly, while no health consequences of upward financial support were observed.

Changes in intergenerational transfers and the effect of intergenerational transfers on family happiness in Turkey will be examined between the years 2006-2021. The findings of the study can be summarized as follows. Between the years 2006-2021, overall individual happiness and family happiness have decreased in Turkey. There is also a weakening of intergenerational transfers during the same period. There is a rapid decline, especially with intergenerational economic transfers and housing support. However, the multiple regression analysis shows that family happiness increases as the total income of a household increases. Parallel to this, as the income becomes easier to cover expenses, the happiness of the family rises. Nuclear and large families are happier than dispersed families. As inter-generational economic transfers increase, happiness also increases. Those who plan to live with their children when they get old are happier than those who plan to live on their own or in a nursing home. While families that receive support from their relatives on problems with their children are happier than those with no support from their relatives, those who try to solve marital problems by talking to parents, children or other family members are less happy than others.

Drawing on theoretical and empirical research on the association between parenthood and political preferences as well as on socio-demographic studies on the effects of grandparenthood, this paper explores heterogeneities in attitudes towards climate policy and pro-environmental behaviour across age, gender and education, accounting for the social stratification introduced by family ties. We hypothesize intergenerational relationships to moderate the socio-ecological transformation related to climate change. Descriptives and regression analyses will be carried out on various survey data conducted in European countries characterised by different family roles, policy contexts and climate conditions. In a first step, this research aims to shed light on the mechanisms through which children and grandchildren may influence climate-related attitudes of their parents and grandparents. Preliminary analyses using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) show that associations between grandparenthood and environmental attitudes are often affected by selection effect. Results from fixed-effects models suggest a long-term effect of becoming a grandparent on attitudes. These results provide already important knowledge on differences along social dimensions that so far have not been investigated. The next steps will account for the transition to parenthood and generate scientific insights into the dynamics of socio-ecological change.

Chronic population decline and ageing populations pose significant challenges to social well-being, particularly in Italy’s "Inner Areas," remote regions suffering from a lack of essential services, leaving many elderly residents isolated. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have the potential to improve the quality of life for older adults by facilitating social interaction, access to services, and information. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated digital adoption, especially among older populations, raising questions about its impact on well-being.

This study explores the relationship between ICT use and subjective well-being among older adults in Italy’s Inner Areas. Using microdata from the Italian Survey on the Use of ICT in Households and by Individuals, conducted by Istat as part of the broader Multipurpose Survey on Households "Aspects of Daily Life," the study examines whether internet use contributes to life satisfaction. The aim is to fill a gap in existing literature by assessing how digital technologies can enhance the lives of older people in isolated areas and help mitigate the challenges of depopulation.