Abstract
This structured literature review is an attempt at a comprehensive overview of the research on childlessness and social support in old age. In total 33 articles published between January 2000 and July 2018 were reviewed.
The articles covered nonparents and social support, social contacts, social networks, and various socio-demographic factors that may influence these. While there was no overall consensus on these topics, some findings emerged more frequently than others.
Nonparents have smaller, more diverse social networks, fewer frequent social contacts with family members, but see friends and neighbours more often. Most articles also depict the childless elderly as a vulnerable group with higher rates of loneliness.
They generally do not lack social support in the form of household help, yet their social networks appear to be less capable of providing more intensive care. Cultural context, marital status, gender, age, and health status also affect these.
Interestingly among parents, family size and the gender and proximity of children also play an important role in social support provision. The review concludes that despite elderly nonparents having more diverse social networks to compensate for the absence of children, they seem to suffer more from social loneliness than parents, and their social networks may provide less support, which may result in a lack of social support when facing deteriorating health.