Intergenerational solidarity in family: manifestations and influencing factors

Relationship between family members of various generations has always formed a basis for various scientific discussions. Economic, demographic and social processes arising as a result of globalisation, urbanisation, feminisation, increased longevity and aging of population not only cause changes in the family structure itself and the functional abilities of a family, but also create new conditions of interaction between the family members. During the period from June 2019 to January 2020 was conducted a survey to research the manifestations of intergenerational solidarity in family and its influencing factors. The basis of the research was built on multi-dimensional construction of Bengtson and Roberts (1991) which was adapted by the author of the paper to the situation in Latvia. 410 respondents corresponded to the selection criterion of the research and participated in the empirical part of the research. The criterion was as follows: residents of Latvia who had at least one living parent.  The results of research show that intergenerational solidarity in family is affected by: 1) gender of the adult child; 2) social and economic factor of the parent. Expressions of strong family norms of the grown child affect provision of functional assistance to their parent; and adult children contact their parent more often if they have mutual emotional intimacy. 1. Intergenerational solidarity in the family is expressed as a dynamic process between an adult child and a parent wherein the emotional intimacy between an adult child and parent motivates communication and mutual assistance and support.2. Strong normative beliefs in the family have a positive effect on provision of assistance and support, but do not stimulate communication. 3. Intergenerational solidarity in the family expressed by adult children towards their parent is more distinct with daughters than sons.