Living with sons over 30 interferes with mothers' wellbeing (IMAGE)
Caption
Photo: María José Gil-Moltó and Arne Risa Hole, study authors.
Analysis of data from the Family Financial Survey, included in the Spanish Statistical Plan, shows that parents aged 50-75 living together with children over 30 in the family home has an adverse effect on the well-being of mothers, especially if they are adult male sons.
In Southern European countries, more than 40% of adults aged 25-34 live at home with their parents and the average age of leaving the family home is 29.8 years. Apart from economic aspects, the cultural contexts of Mediterranean countries seem to explain these results, as they are traditionally characterised by stronger family ties and a less equal division of household labour.
The Family Financial Survey, which is carried out every three years, contains detailed information on the economic situation of Spanish households and demographic information on their members and the relationship between them. For the study, researchers have analysed the results for parents aged between 50 and 75, and their responses on their life satisfaction, tracking them over time and looking at the effect of their children's emancipation or return to the family home.
Mothers report lower levels of life satisfaction (of a magnitude equivalent to a deterioration in their health from "very good" to "acceptable") if they have children over 30 in the household. However, there is no similar evidence for fathers, suggesting that mothers face a greater burden than their partners when there are adult children living in the family home. The researchers also consider that it would be relevant to study the impact on children's well-being, which they hope to do in future research.
Credit
Universitat Jaume I of Castellón (Spain)
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