A task-specific typology of intergenerational family structure in later life.

We tested a typology of intergenerational social support structure with data from 910 dyads of older adults and their primary child helpers. Logistic regression was used to identify variables that differentiate dyads with distinct support configurations. Household support provided to elderly parents was more sensitive to physical and social deficits and geographic distance, whereas social-emotional support was more sensitive to norms and personal affinity.