Does It Matter Anymore? A Study of Childhood Characteristics and Separated Families' Contacts in Adulthood

Abstract

Objective: The study aimed to explore which factors influence intergenerational contacts between adult children and their separated parents, focusing on childhood characteristics. Background: Children from separated families have less frequent contact with their parents compared with peers from intact families. Yet few studies have examined the heterogeneity in intergenerational contact within separated families. Methods: Data were based on Swedish Level of Living Survey. Using linear probability model, the first analysis showed that intergenerational contacts vary depending on family type (n = 2,500). The study then explored variations in contacts within separated families (n = 472). Results: The findings show that previous frequent contacts with the nonresident parent were positively correlated with current father–child contacts. Conclusion: Separation has long-term consequences on intergenerational contacts, and these are partly predicted by childhood characteristics. Implications: The findings suggest, for example, that alternate living (i.e., children living spending equal time with their parents after separation) may contribute to a more equal distribution of the contact between children and their separated parents even in adulthood and help narrow the gender gap in intergenerational contacts within separated families.