Intergenerational Relations in Luxembourg: Solidarity, Ambivalence, Conflict ? - INTERGEN

Coordinating Institution: Université du Luxembourg
Contracting Partner(s): CEPS/INSTEAD
From: 01/08/2007
To: 31/07/2010
Budget: 498,516.00€
Contact(s): Ferring Dieter

Summary

The current project on intergenerational relations in Luxembourg focuses on intergenerational solidarity and support by adopting an interdisciplinary and life-course perspective. Three corresponding studies are carried out bringing together two national research institutes, the University of Luxembourg and the CEPS/INSTEAD, with different but complementary methodological approaches. Study 1 which adopts a qualitative methodology focuses on the social construction of the nature and dynamics of intergenerational ties.

After a thorough analysis and interpretation of the sociology of generations based on the seminal text of Karl Mannheim, qualitative data has been gathered through individual interviews and group discussions with experts and stakeholders in the Luxembourg society. The interpretation of the data, including transcription, coding, analysis and theory building constituted a major focus of Study 1 in 2009. In 2010, 1-2 additional group discussions will be held and data interpretation will be completed. Study 2 concentrates on intergenerational relations and solidarity within families in a multigenerational perspective.

Data collection on the basis of standardized questionnaires focusing on aspects of intergenerational family relations (conflicts and ambivalences, support, justice principles, family-related values and norms) has been continued during 2009. Two intergenerational samples that provide information from the perspectives of both the child and the parent/grandparent generation as well as three larger one-generation samples concentrating on the reports of the child generation (in adolescence, young and middle adulthood) are available for analysis now. Findings have been presented to the international research community in several conferences in 2009; furthermore, journal articles on relevant topics have been published or are under review.

A book project is currently under way based on the interdisciplinary European workshop on “Intergenerational Relations – Society, Family and Individual Perspectives” that has taken place in Luxembourg in June 2009 and brought together highly qualified researchers at junior and senior level from different disciplines and 10 European countries. Study 3 takes a national perspective on intergenerational relations and is carried out in collaboration with CEPS/INSTEAD.

A representative Luxembourgish sample has been collected as part of the national PSELL survey covering issues of family networks, financial and practical support between family members of different generations as well as relationship quality. The year 2009 has been dedicated to the analysis of the survey data regarding intergenerational financial transfers, the participation in international conferences and writing of articles, most of which will be published during 2010. These works will be continued in 2010 using data of the PSELL-2008 survey.

Refereed Scientific Publications

Journal articles:

  • Albert, I., Ferring, D., & Michels, T. (2009). “Forever young“: On the relationship between subjective and objective age. The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Ageing, 13(1), S151.
  • Boll, T., Michels, T., Ferring, D., & Filipp, S.-H. (2009). Trait and state components of perceived parental differential treatment in middle adulthood: A longitudinal study. Manuscript submitted for publication.
  • Borsenberger, M. (2009). Les solidarités intergénérationnelles: toujours vivaces au Luxembourg. Grande Europe, La Revue sur les pays du continent européen. Dossier Portraits de familles, 4, 36-43.
  • Ferring, D., Michels, T., Boll, T., & Filipp, S.-H. (2009). Relationship quality with ageing parents: On solidarity, conflicts, and ambivalence. European Journal of Ageing, 6, 253-265.
  • Fleury, C. (2009). Les transferts financiers intergénérationnels: à qui profite la solidarité? Population & Emploi, 38, CEPS/INSTEAD.
  • Michels, T., Albert, I., & Ferring, D. (2009). Emotional relations with grandparents and received support: The adolescent view. Manuscript submitted for publication.
  • Bool, T., Michels, T., Ferring, D. & Filipp, S.-H. (accepted). Trait and state components of perceived parental differential treatment in middle adulthood: A longitudinal study. Journal of Interindividual Differences.
  • Michels, T., Albert, I. & Ferring, D. (akzeptiert). Psychologische Ambivalenz in Eltern-Kind Beziehungen: Entwicklung und teststatistische Überprüfung eines Instrumentes zur direkten Konstruktabbildung. Diagnostica.
  • Michels, T., Albert, I., Ferring, D., & Donven, N. (2008). Network structures, perceived support exchange and life appraisal: A comparison of home dwelling elderly and nursing home residents. International Journal of Psychology, 43, 73.
  • Michels, T., Albert, I. Ries, T., Boll, T., & Ferring, D. (2009). Informal caregiving for the elderly in Luxembourg: Results from the CARE-Project. The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Ageing, 13(1), S697.

Chapters in edited books:

  • Albert, I. & Ferring, D. (2009). Wandel von Lebensphasen. In H. Willems, G. Rotink, D. Ferring, J. Schoos, M. Majerus, N. Ewen, M.A. Rodesch-Hengesch & C. Schmit (Hrsg.). Handbuch der sozialen und erzieherischen Arbeit in Luxemburg (S. 153-164). Luxembourg: Edition St. Paul.
  • Michels, T. & Ferring, D. (2009). Familien und Generationen. In H. Willems, G. Rotink, D. Ferring, J. Schoos, M. Majerus, N. Ewen, M.A. Rodesch-Hengesch & C. Schmit (Hrsg.). Handbuch der sozialen und erzieherischen Arbeit in Luxemburg (S. 143-152). Luxemburg: Editions Saint-Paul.
  • Ferring, D. (2008). Von „Disengagement“ zu „Successful Ageing“: Modellvorstellungen über das (gute) Altern. In D. Ferring, M. Haller, H. Meyer-Wolters & T. Michels (Hrsg.), Soziokulturelle Konstruktion des Alters. Transdisziplinäre Perspektiven (S. 255-272). Würzburg: Königshausen & Neumann.
  • Michels, T. (2008). Solidarität und Generationengerechtigkeit als Konstrukte in der Beschreibung intergenerationeller Beziehungen. In D. Ferring, M. Haller, H. Meyer-Wolters & T. Michels (Hrsg.), Soziokulturelle Konstruktion des Alters. Transdisziplinäre Perspektiven (S. 169-189). Würzburg: Königshausen &
Other Publications:

Press articles:

  • Berg, C. (2006). Erziehungswissenschaftliche Anmerkungen zum Generationsbegriff. Forum für Politik, Gesellschaft und Kultur, 259, 31-34.
  • Ferring, D. (2006). Solidarität zwischen den Generationen? (Schwerpunktthema mit Beiträgen von Charles Berg, Jean Langers, Mill Majerus, Tom Michels, Charel Schmid) forum für Politik, Gesellschaft und Kultur, 259, 20-22.
  • Michels, T. & Ferring, D. (2006). Intergenerationelle Beziehungen in Familien: Solidarität oder Konflikt? forum für Politik, Gesellschaft und Kultur, 259, 35-38.
Project Website