In-Law Study

Most adults in the United States marry at some point in their lives. Marriage also changes relationships with other family members. After marriage, women's ties to their families of origin tend to grow closer, while men's ties to their families of origin tend to weaken. We know surprisingly little about why this happens!

This study is one of the first to exam the effects of marriage on relationships with parents. The study started over a year ago with interviews of couples engaged to be married and each of their mothers. Over 65 families participated (total sample size = 260). Participants answered questions about their wedding plans, beliefs about family, and their relationships with their own mother or child and their future in-law.

The study is currently in a second phase. The husbands, wives, and each of their mothers complete an interview 6 months after their wedding. We hope to understand the factors that contribute to changes in parents' relationships with their children when the children marry.

Student opportunities include survey design, interviewing, coding of open-ended data, and data management. It is also possible to write an honors thesis, conference presentation, or Master's thesis with data from this study.

 

Publications on In Laws:

Fingerman, K. L. (2004). The role of offspring and children-in-law in grandparents' relationships with grandchildren. Journal of Family Issues, 25, 1026-1049. [.pdf file]