Intergenerational Relations Theory, Research and Policy

Changing times mean that people are living longer and in more complex families. Changes include greater geographical mobility, increased racial and ethnic diversity, new patterns of immigration and identity reformulation, and changing work and family roles. With governmental resources decreasing, it is especially important to understand the changing nature of multigenerational family structures, functioning, and roles in individual well-being in order to maximize the effectiveness of informal and formal supports available. This issue examines factors that facilitate anticipating, understanding, and designing support programs to meet the challenges facing individuals in all generation positions, families, and communities in the U.S. and around the world.

Toni Antonucci is the Elizabeth M. Douvan Collegiate Professor of Psychology at the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on social relations, with a special interest in aging and families. She is Past-President of Adult Developmental and Aging of the American Psychological Association (APA), and Gerontological Society of America. She is currently an expert advisor to SPSSI’s United Nations Committee and a member of the UN’s Committee on Aging.