Themes in parent-child relationships when elderly parents move nearby

Understanding the meaning of the move of an elderly parent to live near a child can throw light on the quality of their relationship. The impact of the relocation on five interrelated aspects of the tie are examined: association (frequency and context of interaction), positive and negative affect (which occur together in complex patterns), intimacy (communication of personal concerns), consensus (degree of congruence in values) and interdependence (emphasizing both autonomy and dependency). The parent's move involves both stability and change. As a transition it highlights some unexplored aspects of the tie suggesting directions for future research.