ARE EXPECTATIONS FOR CARE RELATED TO THE RECEIPT OF CARE - AN ANALYSIS OF PARENT CARE AMONG DISABLED ELDERS

This investigation explores the relationship between the degree to whi ch older parents expect assistance from their children and the actual amount of care they receive from their children. Combining the theorie s of reasoned action and intergenerational solidarity, we hypothesize that global expectations (social norms about receiving care) influence specific expectations (behavioral intentions to seek care), but that it is specific expectations that influence the amount of care received from children. Data were collected at three points over a 12-month pe riod among a sample of impaired older parents (65+),who lived independ ently in community settings (n = 334). Using structural equation model s, the results were consistent with the hypothesis. We conclude that t he theory of reasoned action is a useful adjunct to the theory of inte rgenerational solidarity by proposing that parents adjust their global expectations to reflect the specific realities of the lives of their children.