Changing family relationships of older people
The family ontologists, Professor Peter Öberg at the University of Gävle and Associate Professor Torbjörn Bildtgård at Stockholm University, have several research projects on how older people's family relationships have changed in late modern society.
A common ground for these projects is the restructuring of family and intimacy that began in the mid-1960s, when divorce and relationship restructuring became more common and people began to experiment with alternative forms of relationships, including the option of remaining single and not having children. As a consequence, older people today have more varied family circumstances than before.
Ageing without close family - are there support networks?
The project "Ageing without close family" is an ongoing project about ageing without a partner and children. The aim is both to study the lived experience of aging without close family and to investigate the existence of support networks for the group through interviews and survey data. The project starts in 2023 and is carried out by Associate Professor Torbjörn Bildtgård (Stockholm University), Professor Peter Öberg (University of Gävle) and Professor Ingemar Kåreholt (Jönköping University). The funder is FORTE (Dnr 2022-00708).
Divorce late in life - an unexplored but increasingly common experience
The aim of the project is to study the lived experience of getting divorced, and being divorced, in old age. The project started in 2018 and is conducted by Peter Öberg and Torbjörn Bildtgård. Funding is provided by the Swedish Research Council (Dnr 2017-02610).
Relationships between adult children and older parents in stepfamilies
The aim is to study the relationship between adult children and elderly parents in the late modern aging stepfamily. The project, which started in 2015, was carried out by Peter Öberg, Torbjörn Bildtgård and Marianne Winqvist (Uppsala County Council) and was funded by FORTE (Dnr 2014-0395).
New intimate relationships in old age
The project consists of an interview study and a questionnaire study.
A qualitative interview study with the aim of studying attitudes to, expectations of and experiences of new intimate relationships in old age, in the light of theories on the transformation of intimacy and new demographic conditions in the late modern life course. The project was conducted by Peter Öberg and Torbjörn Bildtgård 2010-2012 and was funded by FORTE (2009-0720).
A quantitative survey study where the aim of the project was to study attitudes to, expectations of and experiences of new and long-term relationships among older people. The project was conducted by Peter Öberg and Torbjörn Bildtgård 2012-2014 and is funded by Riksbankens Jubileumsfond (RJ P11-0909:1).
About the researchers
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Peter Öberg and Torbjörn Bildtgård
Peter Öberg, Professor of Social Work and Associate Professor of Sociology, working at the Department of Social Work and Psychology, University of Gävle. His research focuses on ageing and family relations of older people. He is editor-in-chief of The International Journal of Ageing and Later Life.
Torbjörn Bildtgård, Associate Professor of Sociology, works at the Department of Social Work, Stockholm University. His research focuses on aging and family relations as well as food and eating.
Publications and conference contributions
Bildtgård, T & Öberg, P (2018) Tills skilsmässan för oss samman. Äldre i Centrum Nr 2
Bildtgård, T. & Öberg, P. (2017) Intimacy and Ageing: New Relationships in Later Life. Bristol: Policy press.
External link.
To begin new relationships in later life is increasingly common in large parts of the Western world. This timely book addresses the gap in knowledge about late life repartnering and provides a comprehensive map of the changing landscape of late life intimacy. Part of the Ageing in a Global Context series, the book examines the changing structural conditions of intimacy and ageing in late modernity. How do longer lives, changing norms and new technologies affect older people’s relationship careers, their attitudes to repartnering and in the formation of new relationships? Which forms do these new unions take? What does a new intimate relationship offer older men and women and what are the consequences for social integration? What is the role and meaning of sex? By introducing a gains-perspective the book challenges stereotypes of old age as a period of loss and decline. It also challenges the image of older people as conservative, and instead presents them as an avant-garde that often experiment with new ways of being together.
Bildtgård, T. & Öberg, P. (2017) New intimate relationships in later life – consequences for the social and filial network? Journal of Family Issues, 38(3): 381–405 External link.
Öberg, P., Andersson, L. & Bildtgård, T. (2016) Skyddar en parrelation på äldre dar mot ensamhet [Does couplehood in later life protect against loneliness?]. Socialvetenskaplig Tidskrift, 23(1): 19–36. External link.38 External link.
Bildtgård, T. & Öberg, P. (2015). Förändrade intimitetsformer bland äldre i det senmoderna samhället [Changing forms of intimacy among older people in late modern society]. Sociologisk Forskning 52(1): 5–32. External link.
Bildtgård, T., & Öberg, P. (2015). Time as a structuring condition behind new intimate relationships in later life. Ageing & Society, 35(7): 1505–1528. External link.
2018
- Invited paper: Who is first in line? Late life partnership and the hierarchical structure of older people’s support networks. Gerontological Society of America’s Annual Scientific Congress, Boston, USA.
- Poster: The dyad is not enough - Mediating relationships as mechanisms for cohesion in step-relationships over the life course. Gerontological Society of America’s Annual Scientific Congress, Boston, USA.
- Poster: From society of widows to society of divorcees – late life singlehood revisited. Gerontological Society of America’s Annual Scientific Congress, Boston, USA.
- Invited paper: From society of widows to society of divorcees – late life singlehood revisited. XIX ISA World Congress of Sociology, Toronto, Canada.
- Invited paper: Negotiation and Development of New Intimate Relationships in Later Life. XIX ISA World Congress of Sociology, Toronto, Canada.
- Invited paper: Sex in an ideology of love – life course experiences. 24 Nordic Congress of Gerontology, Oslo, Norway.
- Invited paper: Sexual attitudes and experiences among older Swedes. 24 Nordic Congress of Gerontology, Oslo, Norway.
- Paper: Intergenerational solidarity in ageing stepfamilies – the case of mediating relationships. 24 Nordic Congress of Gerontology, Oslo, Norway.
- Poster: From society of widows to society of divorcees – late life singlehood revisited. 24 Nordic Congress of Gerontology, Oslo, Norway.
2017
- Paper (accepted): Union form in late life intimate relationships – The APC question. IAGG’s 21st World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics, San Francisco, USA.
- Paper (accepted): The changing landscape of late life intimacy in modern Sweden – A national portrait. IAGG’s 21st World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics, San Francisco, USA.
2016
- Invited paper: The paradox of time. International Conference, Ageing as Future: Changing Time and Age Structures in Modern Societies conference in Nürnberg, Germany.
- Paper: Initiation and development of new intimate relationships in later life. Gerontological Society of America’s 69th Annual Congress, New Orleans, USA
- Paper: Gendered ideals vs realities for partner-age in unions in later life. Gerontological Society of America’s 69th Annual Congress, New Orleans, USA
2015
- Paper: Changing union forms among older people in late modern Sweden. Aging Families, Changing Families: An International Conference. Syracuse/New York, USA
- Paper: Gendered ideals vs realities for partner-age in unions in later life. Aging Families, Changing Families: An International Conference. Syracuse/New York, USA
- Paper: Union form in late life intimate relationships – A question of age, period or cohort? Aging Families, Changing Families: An International Conference. Syracuse/New York, USA
2014
- Poster: Diversity of intimacy forms and their importance for well-being in later life. Gerontological Society of America’s 67th Annual Congress, Washington, DC, USA
- Poster: Changing sexual practices in intimate relationships in later life – a life course perspective. Gerontological Society of America’s 67th Annual Congress, Washington, DC, USA
- Paper: Consequences of new intimate relationships for linked lives and autonomy in later life. Gerontological Society of America’s 67th Annual Congress, Washington, DC, USA
- Poster: The importance of intimate relationships for well-being in later life. 22nd Nordic Congress of Gerontology, Göteborg
- Paper: Sexual activity and norms among older Swedes – a life course perspective. 22nd Nordic Congress of Gerontology, Göteborg
- Paper: New forms of intimacy in later life in a culture of divorce. 8th International Conference on Cultural Gerontology, Galway, Ireland
- Paper: Changing sexual practices in new intimate relationships in later life – a life course perspective. 8th International Conference on Cultural Gerontology, Galway, Ireland
- Paper: The impact of new intimate relationships in later life on inter-generational exchanges. 8th International Conference on Cultural Gerontology, Galway, Ireland
2013
- Poster: New sexual relationships in later life: The case of late modern Sweden. Gerontological Society of America’s 66th Annual Congress, New Orleans, USA
- Paper: New Intimate Relationships and Informal Care Obligations in Later Life. Gerontological Society of America’s 66th Annual Scientific Congress, New Orleans, USA
- Poster: The Impact of New Intimate Relationships in Later Life on Life Satisfaction – A Swedish study. Gerontological Society of America’s 66th Annual Scientific Congress, New Orleans, USA
- Paper: Time as a structuring condition for new intimate relationships in later life - A qualitative study of elderly Swedes. IAGG’s 20th World Congress in Gerontology and Geriatrics, Seoul, South-Korea
- Paper: Attitudes, experiences and expectations on new intimate relationships in later life. IAGG’s 20th World Congress in Gerontology and Geriatrics, Seoul, South-Korea
2012
- Paper: Diversity and Ageing – the meaning of new intimate relationships in later life. 21st Nordic Congress of Gerontology, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Paper: The impact of new intimate relationships in later life on social and filial relationships. 21st Nordic Congress of Gerontology, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Paper: Time as a structuring condition behind new intimate relationships in later life. 2nd International Sociological Association’s Forum of Sociology, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Paper: New intimate relationships in later life: Consequences for social and filial relationships. 2nd International Sociological Association’s Forum of Sociology, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Paper: Diversity and Ageing – the meaning of new intimate relationships in later life. 2nd International Sociological Association’s Forum of Sociology, Buenos Aires, Argentina
2018
- Lecture New forms of cohabitation among older people in the 21st century. Stockholm Growth and Regional Planning Administration's prognosis seminar, Lundqvist & Lindqvist, Stockholm.
- Lecture New couple relationships in old age. Conference day for Pensionärsuniversitet and Folkuniversitetet, Söder Källa, Gävle.
2017
- Lecture Kär som pensionär. PRO conference day. Söder Källa, Gävle.
- Conversation about sexuality of the elderly. PRO tent, Almedalsveckan, Visby.
- Lecture: Relationships in old age: New forms - outdated statistics. Swedish Demographic Society and Swedish Gerontological Society. Äldreforskningens hus, Stockholm.
- Lecture: Alone or together - about new relationships in old age. The Swedish Church's analysis unit. House of the Swedish Church, Uppsala.
2016
- Lecture: New relationships in old age. Arbetets Museum, Uppsala.
- The lecture New relationships in old age. Växthuset. Elderly Administration, Stockholm.
2015
- Lecture Until death do us part? New couple relationships in old age. Stockholm County Elderly Center. ABF House, Stockholm.
- Lecture New intimate relationships - a resource for autonomy in old age. Conference "Research on the elderly and elderly care", the School of Social Work's annual research day, Stockholm. Organizer: Department of Social Work, Stockholm University
2014:
- Lecture New intimate relationships in old age - changing forms of intimacy in late modern society. Conference "Researchers meet practitioners", Bollnäs. Organizer: R&D Welfare Region Gävleborg and University of Gävle
- Research seminar on the results of the qualitative and quantitative study on New intimate relationships in old age. NISAL (National Institute for the Study of Ageing and Later life), Campus Norrköping, Linköping University
- Lecture What do new romantic relationships mean for aging? Studies of 60-90-year-old Swedes, at the seminar "Forskarsamtal" at Anhörigcenter in Gävle. Organizer: Gävle Dementia Association, University of Gävle, Gävle Anhörigstöd, Studieförbundet Vuxenskolan
- Lecture "Aging alone or together - new intimate relationships in old age", at the seminar day "How do we feel in old age", Helsinki City Hall, Finland. Organizer: The Wellbeing of the Sick.
- Lecture "Aging alone or together - new intimate relationships in old age", at a seminar day for internship supervisors from social services and students at the social work programs. Organizer: University of Gävle
2013
- The lecture New intimate relationships in later life. Presentation of qualitative and quantitative results from two ongoing projects. Ageing Research Center, KI, Stockholm
- Organizer and chair of the symposium Intimacy romance and sexuality in later life, at International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics' 20th World Congress in Gerontology and Geriatrics, Seoul, South-Korea
- Invited lecture Ageing alone or together - the significance of intimate relationships in later life, for students and researchers at Chukyo University, Nagoya, Japan
- Lecture New intimate relationships in later life, at the conference "Researchers meet practitioners", Uppsala Stadsteater. Organizer: FoU-Uppsala and Uppsala University
- Expert commentators on intimate relationships and ageing for the Nordic Museum's planned exhibition on Age and Ageing
- Open lecture Alone or together? on new couple relationships in old age, at the Elderly Fair in Uppsala "Leva livet, hela livet". Organizer: Uppsala Municipality and Uppsala County Council
- Open lecture Aging alone or together - new couple relationships and well-being among the elderly, the conference "Elderly and mental (in)health", Folkets hus, Stockholm. Organizer: Expo Medica Sverige Ab
2012
- Presentation of the project New intimate relationships in old age, at the Higher seminar at the Academy of Health and Working Life, University of Gävle
- Open lecture for pensioners, New intimate relationships in old age, at ABF House in Stockholm. Organizer: the project "Live life long", Psoriasis Association
- Open lecture for pensioners, New intimate relationships in old age, at ABF House in Stockholm. Organizer: Elderly Center in Stockholm, in the lecture series "Society and the elderly"
- The lecture New intimate relationships in old age at the conference Sweden's Gerontology Day, organized by the Swedish Gerontological Society in Norrköping's conference center.
- Presentation of the project New intimate relationships in old age, at the Higher seminar at the Academy of Health and Working Life, University of Gävle
- The lecture " How remaining time organizes new intimate relationships in old age", at the research seminar "Remaining lifetime" at NISAL (National Institute for the Study of Ageing and Later life) in Campus Norrköping, Linköping University
2018
- 2018-07: Being a bonus mom is harder than being a bonus dad - how do stepfamily relationships develop as children and parents get older? M-magazine No 10/2018
- 2018-01: The third phase of life can be the golden age of your life. How open are you to a new love in your life? Sydsvenskan 2018-01-17
2017
- 2017-11: Seniors are dating more than ever. Aftonbladet 2017-11-24
- 2017-07: How to find new acquaintances - in the fall of age. Aftonbladet 2017-07-21
- 2017-02: Interview with Torbjörn Bildtgård in SVT's news program Rapport about the increasing number of older people getting divorced External link.
- 2017-02: Interview with Torbjörn Bildtgård in P4 Kristianstad
2016
- 2016-03: Interview with Torbjörn Bildtgård in P4 Extra, "Finding a new love late in life" External link.
- 2016-02: Interview with Torbjörn Bildtgård in Studio ett, P1, "Nätdejting trendar bland äldre" External link.
2015
- 2015-12: Interview with Torbjörn Bildtgård and Peter Öberg in Sydsvenskan (also in Helsingborgs Dagblad). The article: "Women want someone to go out with".
- 2015-11: Interview with Torbjörn Bildtgård and Peter Öberg in Uppsala Nya Tidning. The article: "New love after 60 has its points." External link.
- 2015-03: Report in the magazine Omtanke, No. 3 April, about Torbjörn Bildtgård and Peter Öberg's research.
- 2015-03: Interview with Torbjörn Bildtgård and Peter Öberg about the results of the research project in Blomsterfonden's magazine Alma, No. 1 March. The article: "Old age can mean surprising new loves".
- 2015-03: Interview in M-Magasin, No. 4 March, with Torbjörn Bildtgård and Peter Öberg about the results of the research project. The article: "60+ Love's best-by date"
- 2015-03-01: Interview with Torbjörn Bildtgård: "Everyone wins when new love blossoms late in life" in SVT's news program Rapport. External link.
2014
- 2014-10-02: Interview in the newspaper Västra Nyland (Finland) with Torbjörn Bildtgård and Peter Öberg about the results of the research project. The article: "Normal to date after 60".
- 2014-10-01: Interview in the newspaper Hufvudstadsbladet (Finland) with Torbjörn Bildtgård and Peter Öberg about the results of the research project. The article: "The love of seniors sprouts - anew".
- 2014-04-25: Interview with Peter Öberg: Research on older people's intimate relationships in TV4 Gävleborg's news program.
- 2014-04-24: Interview with Peter Öberg as an expert commentator on elderly divorce in SVT's news program Aktuellt
- 2014-03-21: Interview in Gefle Dagblad with Torbjörn Bildtgård and Peter Öberg about the results of the research project. The article: "Here is time and desire to spend on love".
2013
- 2013-12-16: Interview in the University of Gävle's magazine Leva"Study on older people's intimate relationships gave surprising results" External link.. The article: "Study on older people's intimate relationships gave surprising results".
- 2013-10-23: Interview with Peter Öberg: "'Särbo' suosituin suhde ikäihmisillä" [Särbo most popular relationship for older people]. Swedish Radio P4, Sisuradio. External link.
- 2013-10-12: Interview with Peter Öberg: "Love in old age good for health - from the waiting room of death to a new life". P4 Radio Gävleborg. External link.
- 2013-10-08: Interview in P4 Radio Uppland with Peter Öberg: "How others perceive seniors' love lives". External link.
- 2013-11-05: Reportage "Aldrig för sent för kärlek" in the newspaper Mitt i Södermalm, with an interview about the research project.
2012
- 2012-07-01: Interview in Arbetarbladet with Torbjörn Bildtgård and Peter Öberg. The article: "60-plussare väljer bättre"
- 2012-08-15: Interview in Svenska Dagbladet with Torbjörn Bildtgård about the project Nya intima relationer på äldre dar. The article "Plenty of time to enjoy when you get older" External link.
- 2012-04-26: Interview about the project in SR P4's Finnish broadcast from Sisuradio Norrlanti: Ikääntyneetkin harrastavat intiimejä suhteita sanoo dosentti Peter Öberg External link.
- 2012-04-19: Interview with Torbjörn Bildtgård in Norrköpings Tidningar. The article: "Sex important well into old age" External link.
- 2012-04-19: Interview with Torbjörn Bildtgård in local TV, Norrköping: "Strong desire even up in the ages" External link.
2010
- 2010-12-15: Interview in Veteranen nr 9. Article Wanted: Couples who met after 60
- 2010-04-12: Interview in Gefle Dagblad. The article Researchers want to puncture myths about older people's sex lives
- 2010-03-10: Interview in Arbetarbladet. Article Research underway on older people's love lives
Contact
Contact Peter Öberg for questions about the research project or read more about his research and see his publications in the research presentation.
Torbjörn Bildtgård
Associate Professor of Sociology, Stockholm University
Contact Torbjörn Bildtgård for questions regarding the different research projects or read more in his research presentation External link. at Stockholm University
We are looking for people for interview!
For the project "Growing old without a close family", we are looking for people aged 75 or over who do not have a partner or children to be interviewed.
This page was last updated 2025-04-30