Adult Children of Separated Families Receive Less Financial and Emotional Support

A recent study reveals that separated parents deliver less financial and emotional support to their adult children.

The study entitled "Parental Separation and Intergenerational Support" aimed to see whether there is a difference between financial and emotional support given by parents in separated families and a complete family to their grown children, according to Anna Manzoni, the corresponding author of the study and an associate professor of sociology at North Carolina State University. It also wanted to see if the support given by adult children to separated and non-separated parents differ.

"We found that, in families where there was parental separation, there was substantially less support from fathers and mothers to their adult children, whether you're talking about emotional, material or instrumental support. In practical terms, this often places children in these families at a disadvantage, because they have access to fewer resources," Manzoni declared.

'Disadvantaged' from childhood to adulthood

According to Manzoni, numerous studies show how children from separated families are at a disadvantage. These children are more prone to performing worse in school, experiencing mental health challenges, and the like.

This study revealed that the disadvantage continues even during adulthood, based on the support their parents give. As its conclusion stated, lesser support is given to adult children from separated families, which "suggests increasing disadvantage for those already disadvantaged."

Thus, Manzoni emphasized that the study is making society understand a "significant social change," as it highlights the urgent need to provide additional assistance to separated families, especially to the children, NC State University reported.

Fathers less likely to give support compared to mothers

The study further revealed a negative association between parental separation and parental support to children, especially for fathers.

In a separated family, the father is less likely to provide financial and emotional support to his adult children.

As for mothers, the study showed no significant difference in their support for their adult children, whether they are separated or not. When they are highly educated, the separation has a less negative association with material support, which means they can support their children all the more.

According to Phys.Org, the researchers analyzed data from 4,340 German adults who participated in the long-term project "German Family Panel." The youngest "adult children" participant was 18 years old, and none lived with their parents.

They conducted in-depth surveys every other year from 2009 to 2016 and used statistical techniques to identify the differences in intergenerational support they received from parents who were separated and still together.

This intergenerational support was grouped into emotional, material, and instrumental. Instrumental support includes helping out in the house, babysitting, and eldercare. Material support includes financial and gifts, while emotional support includes building relationships and sharing personal advice.