The literature on the psychosocial consequences of childlessness has been founded on the assumption that parenthood status influences subsequent psychosocial outcomes. Most existing research on psychosocial factors and childlessness has assumed that childlessness has negative consequences for psychological well-being and life satisfaction in later adulthood. Many of the studies that have attempted to investigate the effect of childlessness on psychosocial outcomes in late life have been limited in their contributions by small or nonrepresentative samples. The results of the few generalizable studies of the effects of childlessness suggest that childless may not be disadvantaged when compared with parents on measures of availability of support, life satisfaction, size of social networks, and social participation. Secondary analysis of data from the Florida Retirement Study was used to assess the extent to which differences exist between childless older adults and older adults who are parents on psychosocial factors such as the size and composition of social networks, social participation, satisfaction with social support, psychological well-being, and life satisfaction. Results indicated that childless older adults had higher levels of social participation than older adults who were parents and that there were no significant differences between childless older adults and older adults who were parents with respect to self esteem, distress, and life satisfaction.
Learning Objectives: Participants will understand the evidence related to psychosocial consequences of involuntary childlessness
Keywords: Aging, Mental Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.