Situational Influences on the Morale of Older Rural Adults in Child-Shared Housing: A Comparative Analysis

Results from this study showed no significant difference in the morale scores of older rural adults living with children (n = 97) and those in other arrangements (n = 243) when health was controlled. Multiple regression analyses indicated, however, that more than twice as much variance in morale scores could be explained for parents in child-shared housing as for other parents. More factors also contributed to morale differences. The data suggested that the morale of older parents living with children is closely associated with the extent to which negative factors contributing to the housing arrangement are resolved.