Adult Children's Attachment and Helping Behavior to Elderly Parents: A Path Model

Based on attachment theory, a path model was constructed in which adult children 'sfeelings of attachment lead to their attachment behaviors and in turn to their present helping behaviors and commitment to provide future help. Also included in the model were filial obligation, dependency, interpersonal conflict, and negative feelings resulting from helping behaviors. Field survey data were obtained from 148 adult children with living elderly mothers. Results indicated that present helping behaviors, attachment behaviors, and feelings of attachment had the strongest influence on commitment to provide future help. Filial obligation had an indirect influence mediated by attachment behaviors.