Research Article

THE WEIGHT OF KINSHIP: FAMILY AMBIVALENCE AND SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC INTERSECTIONS AS PREDICTORS OF ARTHRITIS IN LATER LIFE

Volume: 28 Number: 3 September 15, 2026
EN TR

THE WEIGHT OF KINSHIP: FAMILY AMBIVALENCE AND SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC INTERSECTIONS AS PREDICTORS OF ARTHRITIS IN LATER LIFE

Abstract

The primary aim of this study is to investigate how family ambivalence relates to the presence of arthritis among middle-aged and older adults, while examining whether this relationship is moderated by sociodemographic disadvantage (i.e., lower socioeconomic status (SES), being female, or being non-White). Based on data from the National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP) Round 3 (2015–2016), logistic regression analyses tested whether: (1) greater family ambivalence would be linked to an increased likelihood of reporting arthritis, after accounting for demographics and factors related to health; and (2) this association would be stronger among individuals experiencing greater sociodemographic disadvantage. Family ambivalence was a significant predictor of arthritis, even after adjusting for covariates. Moderation analyses showed that the relationship between family ambivalence and arthritis was significant for Whites but not for Hispanics. Additionally, SES moderated this relationship: family ambivalence was significantly associated with arthritis at low and mean levels of SES, but not at high SES. No significant interactions emerged for gender or Black ethnicity. These findings indicate that family ambivalence may serve as a psychosocial risk factor for arthritis, particularly among socioeconomically disadvantaged and White older adults, highlighting the complex link between social relationships and health.

Keywords

Ethical Statement

The original NSHAP study was approved by the Institutional Review Board at the University of Chicago.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Social and Personality Psychology (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

September 15, 2026

Submission Date

September 8, 2025

Acceptance Date

February 4, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 28 Number: 3

APA
Yılmaz, C. (2026). THE WEIGHT OF KINSHIP: FAMILY AMBIVALENCE AND SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC INTERSECTIONS AS PREDICTORS OF ARTHRITIS IN LATER LIFE. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 28(3), 1281-1303. https://doi.org/10.16953/deusosbil.1779741
AMA
1.Yılmaz C. THE WEIGHT OF KINSHIP: FAMILY AMBIVALENCE AND SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC INTERSECTIONS AS PREDICTORS OF ARTHRITIS IN LATER LIFE. DEU Journal of GSSS. 2026;28(3):1281-1303. doi:10.16953/deusosbil.1779741
Chicago
Yılmaz, Cansu. 2026. “THE WEIGHT OF KINSHIP: FAMILY AMBIVALENCE AND SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC INTERSECTIONS AS PREDICTORS OF ARTHRITIS IN LATER LIFE”. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi 28 (3): 1281-1303. https://doi.org/10.16953/deusosbil.1779741.
EndNote
Yılmaz C (September 1, 2026) THE WEIGHT OF KINSHIP: FAMILY AMBIVALENCE AND SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC INTERSECTIONS AS PREDICTORS OF ARTHRITIS IN LATER LIFE. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi 28 3 1281–1303.
IEEE
[1]C. Yılmaz, “THE WEIGHT OF KINSHIP: FAMILY AMBIVALENCE AND SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC INTERSECTIONS AS PREDICTORS OF ARTHRITIS IN LATER LIFE”, DEU Journal of GSSS, vol. 28, no. 3, pp. 1281–1303, Sept. 2026, doi: 10.16953/deusosbil.1779741.
ISNAD
Yılmaz, Cansu. “THE WEIGHT OF KINSHIP: FAMILY AMBIVALENCE AND SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC INTERSECTIONS AS PREDICTORS OF ARTHRITIS IN LATER LIFE”. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi 28/3 (September 1, 2026): 1281-1303. https://doi.org/10.16953/deusosbil.1779741.
JAMA
1.Yılmaz C. THE WEIGHT OF KINSHIP: FAMILY AMBIVALENCE AND SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC INTERSECTIONS AS PREDICTORS OF ARTHRITIS IN LATER LIFE. DEU Journal of GSSS. 2026;28:1281–1303.
MLA
Yılmaz, Cansu. “THE WEIGHT OF KINSHIP: FAMILY AMBIVALENCE AND SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC INTERSECTIONS AS PREDICTORS OF ARTHRITIS IN LATER LIFE”. Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, vol. 28, no. 3, Sept. 2026, pp. 1281-03, doi:10.16953/deusosbil.1779741.
Vancouver
1.Cansu Yılmaz. THE WEIGHT OF KINSHIP: FAMILY AMBIVALENCE AND SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC INTERSECTIONS AS PREDICTORS OF ARTHRITIS IN LATER LIFE. DEU Journal of GSSS. 2026 Sep. 1;28(3):1281-303. doi:10.16953/deusosbil.1779741