Study shows strain that care puts on parent-child relationship
26/7/2010
A new scientific study has shown that the parent-child relationship can be put under considerable strain when long-term care is involved.
The first international comparative study of its kind was conducted among 2,600 parents and children in six countries, according to an article in the Journal of Marriage and Family.
It found that each country has an accepted standard of behaviour governing respect for elders, but long-term care presents a serious challenge to this relationship.
Lead author Dr Merril Silverstien explains that this friction is formed from a healthy bond, which proves that there is genuine affection in the relationship.
He went on: "A healthy sense of interdependence can also encourage affection.
"We have found that apathy can be much more detrimental than conflict to close, personal, familial relationships."
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland currently estimates that the Republic of Ireland contains around 44,000 people who are living with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.