PARENTS AS RESOURCES WHEN ADULT CHILDREN DIVORCE

Older parents continue to function as family resources to their adult children, especially when these children are coping with major life pr oblems. Fifty-two parents (54 to 87 years of age), were asked to refle ct upon ways in which they were helpful to their children during the d issolution of their children's marriages. Taxonomical analyses of the qualitative data revealed that virtually all of the parents aided thei r children in one way or another. Although parents provided advice spa ringly and with some trepidation, most freely offered emotional suppor t. Frequently cited modes of instrumental assistance included provisio n of financial support for basic needs, attorney fees, or mortgage pay ments; housing; and childcare.