Support exchange between siblings in later life: the role of ‘core-kinlessness’ and geographic proximity
Clicks: 1
ID: 318101
2026
Article Quality & Performance Metrics
Overall Quality
Not rated
Combines reader engagement with the AI quality analysis. This
article has not been analysed, so there is no overall score —
reader engagement is measured and shown alongside.
Reader Engagement
0.0
/100
1 views
0 readers
AI Quality Assessment
Not analyzed
Readership in this journal
Ranked #89 of 91 articles by views in the journals of gerontology series b, psychological sciences and social sciences
Most read
Least read
Bar heights use a square-root scale.
Mint this article as an NFT
Not yet mintedCreate a permanent, verifiable on-chain record of this article on the Scimatic Network. The NFT is held in your Journament account, and you can withdraw it to your own wallet at any time.
5
SUSD
one-off · no wallet required
Abstract
Abstract Objectives As people have fewer children and remain single, siblings may become more active in family networks of older adults who lack a partner, children, or both—referred to as “core-kinless”. This study examines the association between the absence of children and/or a partner and exchange of support between siblings and how intragenerational geographic proximity shapes these associations, addressing both giving and receiving practical help and giving personal care. Methods Data from the Generational Transmissions in Finland project (adults 78-74 in 2018 and their siblings), linked with register data, were analyzed using multilevel ordinal logistic regressions to examine frequencies of giving and receiving practical help, and logistic regressions providing personal care. Results Siblings were found to be active supporters in later life. Partnerless older adults—particularly never married—were more likely to receive practical help from siblings than those with partners. Childlessness alone did not increase sibling support, but core-kinless older adults received the highest levels of help and provided more assistance and personal care to siblings, even across long distances. Geographic proximity strengthened support exchanges, but core-kinlessness remained a strong predictor of support exchange regardless of distance. Finally, a 10 km threshold seems adequate for approximating help and care exchanges between siblings. Discussion Findings highlight siblings’ role as a compensatory source of support in later life, especially if they are core-kinless. Future research and policy should broaden caregiving definitions to include siblings and recognize the core-kinless older adults as an underappreciated resource of help and care within family networks.
| Reference Key |
openalex_W7165485348
Use this key to autocite in the manuscript while using
SciMatic Manuscript Manager or Thesis Manager
|
|---|---|
| Authors | Alyona Artamonova, Clara H. Mulder, Mirkka Danielsbacka, Antti O. Tanskanen |
| Journal | the journals of gerontology series b, psychological sciences and social sciences |
| Year | 2026 |
| DOI |
10.1093/geronb/gbag108
|
| URL | |
| Keywords | Keywords not found |
Citations
No citations found. To add a citation, contact the admin at info@scimatic.org
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to comment on this article.