Sibling Similarities and Sharing the Care of Older Parents

Abstract

This study examines the degree to which the sharing of parental care, as indicated by the amount of children participating in caregiving and by equality in caregiving intensity, is associated with similarities among sibling characteristics. A selected sample of 186 parents with at least two children was asked to report on the assistance provided by all their children. Results reveal that in most families the care was shared between children. However, there was a large variation in caregiving intensity. Multivariate regression analyses show that similarities in employment status among children predicted a higher chance that the care was shared and a higher degree of equality in caregiving intensity among siblings. Similarities in partner status and emotional support exchanges with parents were associated with the equality among siblings in caregiving intensity. Results from this study suggest that siblings with similar characteristics and opportunities are more likely to share care (equally).