Revisiting Associational and Digital Solidarity from the Life Course Perspective: Linking Contact, Support, and Well-being

• In Event: Aging and the Life Course Section Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): 7: Intergenerational and Grandparent Roles

Abstract

Two key dimensions of the intergenerational solidarity framework, associational and digital solidarity, highlight the importance of in-person and digital intergenerational contact in fostering cohesion and a sense of belonging within families. Empirical findings on the relationship between intergenerational contact and well-being, however, remain mixed, with some studies reporting negative effects on psychological well-being. These inconsistencies may stem from the fact that existing research has not systematically incorporated life-course and multigenerational perspectives to examine when and why intergenerational contact improves or undermines well-being. Drawing from theoretical frameworks on in-person and digital communication, this paper revisits the conceptual foundations of associational and digital solidarity to shed light on the mechanisms underlying these mixed findings. It argues that the impact of intergenerational contact on well-being may hinge on whether and how emotional and instrumental support are transmitted through these interactions, a process shaped by family members’ life-course and generational contexts. By linking contact and support within a sociological life-course framework, this paper advances a more nuanced understanding of how associational and digital solidarity operate within multigenerational families in the digital age.

Authors

• Ranran He, Purdue University

• Robert T. Frase, Southern Illinois University

• J. Jill Suitor, Purdue University