Published Articles

 

  • Neal, M. B., &  Hammer, L. B., Brockwood, K. J., Caubet, S., Colton,  C. L., Hammond, T., Huang E., Isgrigg, J., & Rickard, A.  (2001). A Work-Family Sourcebook for Employers: Supporting Employees in with Child and Elder Care Needs. Portland State University, Portland, OR.

    Abstract
    The purpose of this guidebook is to outline for employers ways in which they can support employees in the sandwiched generation that is, those who are simultaneously caring for dependent children and aging parents or other elderly relatives and the rationale for providing support. Produced as part of a national study of dual-earner, sandwiched-generation couples funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the 329-page booklet has 5 sections.   In the first, Who is the sandwiched generation?, the results of the first wave of mailed surveys from 309 working couples from across the U.S. are summarized, and a profile of the typical sandwiched-generation dual-earner couple is presented. The second section, Why should employers care? describes negative work-related impacts that can stem from employees attempting to managing both work and family caregiving responsibilities. The third section, What employers can do, details workplace-based supports useful to family caregivers, including policies, benefits, and services. The fourth section describes how to conduct an employee needs assessment and includes a sample survey instrument. The final section lists websites, publications, CDs, videos, and other resources to which employers may turn for additional information.

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  • Ingersoll-Dayton, B., Neal, M. B., & Hammer, L. B. (2001). Aging parents helping adult children: The experience of the sandwiched generation. Family Relations, 50, 262-271.

    Abstract
    One aspect of care giving that has been under explored is the support that adult children receive from the parents they care for. A combination of qualitative and quantitative data was collected to investigate this symbiotic relationship. Focus group data collected from 63 participants revealed that elders can provide financial, emotional, childcare, and household assistance to their adult children. The results of a national survey (N = 618) indicate that a substantial number of adult children receive support from their aging parent: the most common type of help received was emotional support. Receipt of help was associated with both benefits and costs: these complex outcomes were further explained through an examination of focus group data. The implications for practitioners working with this population are discussed.   

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  • Brockwood, K. J., Hammer, L. B., Neal, M. B., & Colton, C. L. (in press). Effects of accommodations made at home and at work on wives~R and husbands family and job satisfaction. Journal of Feminist Family Therapy: Balancing work and family.

    Abstract
    As part of a larger national study of 309 dual-earner couples caring both for children and aging parents, participants were surveyed about the behavioral accommodations they made at home (e.g., limiting time spent with family) and at work (e.g., changing work schedules), and their satisfaction levels in both domains. Results indicated that wives made more frequent accommodations than did husbands, both at work and at home. Accommodations made were related to satisfaction in a number of ways. For both husbands and wives, the extent to which a spouse made accommodations at home was negatively related to their own family satisfaction.

    Key words: Work and Family; Gender Issues; Marriage and Family; Sandwiched Generation; Parent Care; Crossover Effects

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