Kinship Relations in Retired Rural Men and Women

This study investigates (a) quantity and quality of intergenerational and sibling relationships in retired rural men and women and (b) personal background factors associated with quantity and quality of kinship relations in those retired men and women. Interviews were conducted with 252 men and 199 women who participated in the retirement substudy of an 8-year epidemiological investigation of two rural counties in Iowa. As evidenced by proximity, frequency of contact, receipt of aid, affectional closeness, and value consensus with kin, retired rural elderly appear well integrated into kinship networks, with females advantaged over males. Kinship relations are affected by health, financial status, marital status, and age. Implications for practitioners and program planners are discussed.