Project The Impact of Intergenerational Relationships on Health and Well-Being Program Margo Katherine Wilke Undergraduate Research Internship Program Term Spring 2024 Status Accepted Research Area Sociology, Family Studies, Health and Well-Being Description The Within Family Differences Study (WFDS) is a 23 year, 4-wave longitudinal project funded by NIH that focuses on understanding the relationships between parents, adult children, and adult grandchildren, and the ways in which these ties affect the well-being of all three generations. Study goals are to contribute to the scientific study of intergenerational relationships and provide a basis for the development of strategies for practitioners to employ when working with later-life families. Supervisor J Jill Suitor Mentor Type of work required The current phase of the WFDS focuses on the ways in which adult children’s and adult grandchildren’s psychological well-being, physical health, and health behaviors are impacted by the deaths of members of the oldest generation. Students participating in the project this year will be involved in analyzing qualitative data on intergenerational relations, transcribing and coding interviews. The undergraduate participants will also have the opportunity to work with a team of three advanced graduate students who have been a part of the research team for 2-3 years. The project has demonstrated it provides a highly productive research environment for students. Not only do students receive hand-on research experience, but almost all have coauthored publications with Professor Suitor in major journals in the field. In fact, across the 22 years of the project, more than 75 publications have been produced, on which more than a dozen undergraduates and more than 50 graduate students have been coauthors.

Websites https://web.ics.purdue.edu/~jsuitor/within-family-differences-study/
Qualifications There are no specific qualifications or skills beyond being intellectually curious, highly motivated and ethical. The project is funded by the National Institutes of Health; strict adherence to project Human Subjects protocols is essential. Please note: The Margo Katherine Wilke Undergraduate Research Internship (Wilke) program is designed to support Purdue College of Liberal Arts undergraduates. As a result, students without a CLA major or minor may not be considered for this program. Credit Hours 3 Weekly Hours 5 (estimated)