Redressing Inequity in Parent Care Among Siblings

When inequities occur in the division of labor among adult siblings caring for older parents, conflict may result. This paper uses equity theory as a framework for understanding the processes used by siblings to rectify imbalances in their parental responsibilities. The study is based on a sample of 40 focus group participants who described caregiving relationships among siblings. Consistent with equity theory, these participants used two approaches to redress inequities in their sibling caregiving relationships: requesting behavioral changes from siblings and making cognitive changes. The findings suggest that these two approaches can result in more perceived equity but may also lead to even greater perceived inequity and distress. Key Words: caregiving, equity theory, parent care, sandwich generation, sibling relationships. Siblings may move apart both geographically and emotionally during their young adult years. However, the illness of an aging parent can signal a new phase in the relationships among adult siblings who must confront the issue of providing parent care (Connidis, 2001). Unfortunately, many siblings do not assume a fair share of the caregiving tasks, and instead, one sibling typically provides more care than the others (Cicirelli, 1992; Suitor & Pillemer, 1996). More-involved siblings may experience frustration and anger toward those who are less involved in caregiving (Strawbridge & Wallhagen, 1991), whereas the less-involved siblings may feel guilty about not assuming their fair share of responsibility (Brody, 1990). Both those who are more involved and those who are less involved may feel distressed and take steps to change the situation. In this paper, we examine inequalities in parent care responsibilities and illuminate ways in which siblings seek to redress this imbalance. Sibling relationships comprise an area of gerontological study that has been criticized for its atheoretical approach (Cicirelli, 1991). Equity theory (Walster, Walster, & Berscheid, 1978) provides a useful framework for understanding these relationships. Because it emphasizes perceptions of the relative contributions, costs, and rewards involved in social transactions, equity theory has particular relevance to issues of fairness among sibling caregivers. Two propositions from this theory (Hatfield, Traupmann, Sprecher, Utne, & Hay, 1985; Walster et al., 1978) are especially applicable to caregiving situations in which siblings are involved. The first is that inequitable caregiving relationships result in feelings of distress. This proposition holds that when people feel they are giving more than others in a transaction, they will become resentful and angry. Further, when individuals feel that they are giving less than others, they will feel guilty. The second proposition is that individuals will seek to eliminate the distress of inequitable relationships by attempting to restore equity. Equity theory has been applied to a variety of intimate relationships in later life. For example, researchers have used equity theory to examine the relationships among older spouses (Ingersoll-- Dayton & Antonucci, 1988; Keith & Schafer, 1985); among older parents and their adult children (Beckman, 1981; Ingersoll-Dayton & Antonucci, 1988); and between older friends (Roberto & Scott, 1984-1985, 1986; Rook, 1984). Although there is a body of research on adult sibling caregivers, only a few attempts (e.g., George, 1986; Lerner, Somers, Reid, & Tierney, 1989) have been made to apply equity theory to relationships among siblings caring for aging parents. In the section that follows, we use the two propositions from equity theory, as described above, to organize the findings from existing research on adult sibling caregivers. INEQUITY RESULTS IN DISTRESS One body of relevant literature examines the distress experienced by siblings who assume the majority of caregiving responsibilities. …