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Parent Care by Indian and Belgian Caregivers in their Roles of Daughter/Daughter-in-Law

Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium

Ype H. Poortinga

Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium

Alfons Marcoen

Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium

Patterns of scores on measures of the strength of current caregiver/care receiver relationship quality (adult attachment, closeness, and conflict) and measures of parent care (filial concern, caregiver burden, and amount of parent care given) were examined in India and Belgium (Flanders) with middle-aged women looking after their mother and/or mother-in-law. Patterns of scores in care receivers' ratings of current bonds with their daughters and daughters-in-law were also investigated. The results suggested that the relationship between daughter-in-law and mother-in-law is relatively less close in India than in Belgium. In contrast, pat-terns of variables related to actual behavior follow cultural prescriptions, with Indian daughters-in-law pro-viding more care for their mothers-in-law. It is concluded that cultural demands will determine actual behavior but have, at most, a limited influence when it comes to deep-rooted interpersonal relations, such as the attachment between mother and daughter.

Key Words: attachment • caregiver burden • cross-cultural • mothers • mothers-in-law • parent care

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