Instrumental Social Support Exchanges in African American Extended Families

This study uses data from the National Survey of American Life Re-Interview to examine the types and frequency of instrumental support that African Americans exchange with extended family members as well as the demographic and family correlates of these exchanges. Four types of instrumental support...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of family issues 2018-09, Vol.39 (13), p.3535-3563
Main Authors: Cross, Christina J., Nguyen, Ann W., Chatters, Linda M., Taylor, Robert Joseph
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
African Americans
Extended family
Families & family life
Family support
Financial support
Gender roles
Illnesses
Regional differences
Sex differences
Social support
Sociodemographics
Transportation
Visitation
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:This study uses data from the National Survey of American Life Re-Interview to examine the types and frequency of instrumental support that African Americans exchange with extended family members as well as the demographic and family correlates of these exchanges. Four types of instrumental support are examined: transportation assistance, help with chores, financial assistance, and help during illness. Findings indicate that respondents most frequently gave support to and received support from family members during illness episodes, followed by financial support, help with chores, and transportation assistance. For each type of support, individuals indicated that they provided more assistance than they received. These support exchanges are patterned by subjective family closeness, frequency of family contact, financial and social resources, gender roles, and regional differences. Overall, the findings underscore how features of family relationships and demographic characteristics are associated with the provision and receipt of instrumental family support among African Americans.
ISSN:0192-513X
1552-5481
DOI:10.1177/0192513X18783805