Search Results (3)

Bringing together two areas of scholarship on family history—separation and blended families—this article adds a new perspective to our understanding of how kin networks in early modern England were maintained, and on the factors that influenced the ongoing processes of negotiating them. The extensive correspondence of Bess of Hardwick and her children and step-children enables an investigation into what happened when a couple at the centre of a blended family network separated. Despite their unique political circumstances, the Cavendish-Talbot family offer a useful case study to understand some of the factors shaping the lives of separated wives in early modern England. For elite families the success of the house and dynasty could be jeopardized by the breakdown of a marriage, and never more so than if the family was a blended one. While Bess’s relationships with and support for her children caused problems with her husband, their invaluable support indicates further strategies that were available to separated wives. Bess’s children advocated for her at court, supported her in legal suits and actively negotiated between their parents. The Cavendish-Talbot family relationships were complex and loyalties did not necessarily follow expected patterns. However, in their complexity, and through the large number of letters surviving between the family, they offer a unique opportunity to consider the role of family members for separated wives. Full article

Background: Informal care provided by family caregivers (FCGs) to elderly persons is associated with a high risk of burden and poor health status. Social support services (3S) for the elderly persons were characterized by assistance in various activities of daily living. This study aimed to analyze the impact of 3S on the burden of FCGs of elderly persons living in the community and identify factors associated with changes in their burden. Methods: This pre-post study was performed in the southeast of France: FCGs of non-dependent elderly persons still living at home who received a 3S were consecutively included. FCG burden was assessed with the Mini-Zarit scale before the setting up of the 3S (pre-3S) and 6 months after (post-3S). Results: A total of 569 FCGs were included in the study. Mean age of the FCGs was 62.9 years old (±13.3), 67% were women, 61.2% were children or stepchildren. Burden was present for 81% of FCGs. In most cases, 3S targeted household chores (95.8%); 59.8% of elderly persons and their FCGs were fully satisfied. The improvement in burden was greater for FCGs perceiving less obstacles post-3S in helping elderly persons (OR = 4.083) but also for FCGs fully satisfied with the 3S (OR = 2.809) and for FCGs whose perceived health status had improved post-3S (OR = 2.090). Conclusions: FCGs of non-dependent elderly persons experience a burden similar to those of dependent elderly persons. The implementation of a 3S in daily life helps to reduce their burden. Full article

The aging of the population, coupled with increasing divorce and remarriage rates, are changing the structure of potential non-financial support for older parents. The purpose of this study was to examine support provided to parents aged 50+ in stepfamilies and to determine if the difference existed between help provided by natural children and stepchildren. The primary objective was to investigate whether blood ties were a significant determinant of the support if the quality of the relationship between the parent and a natural child or a stepchild was taken into account. The secondary objective was to answer the question to what extent the reciprocal exchange motive of support was observed in stepfamilies. The probability of non-financial support from children and stepchildren was estimated based on the sixth wave of the SHARE (Survey on Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe) database for European countries. Children in stepfamilies provided less non-financial help to parents than those in intact families. Stepchildren were less likely to be in stepparents’ social networks, and stepparents provided less help with childcare for grandchildren than they did to their biological children. Relationship closeness and looking after grandchildren increased the probability of non-financial support to older parents, regardless of whether the donor was a natural child or a stepchild. Full article