Dr. Lin and colleagues published “Kinlessness, sole family survivorship, and the mental and physical health of U.S. older adults” in Social Science & Medicine. Limited family ties are increasingly common among U.S. older adults. This study assessed how kinless individuals and sole family survivors were associated with chronic conditions, (instrumental) activities of daily living (ADL/IADL) limitations, self-rated poor health, and depressive symptoms. Results demonstrate the utility of examining multiple forms of limited family ties which have distinct ramifications for older adult well-being.

View Publication: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2026.118996