101 MVL Adult Development Sample Paper (1)
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School
Colorado State University, Fort Collins *
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Course
101
Subject
Health Science
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
Pages
5
Uploaded by abmintz27
1
Sandwich Generation
1
Student Name
Department of Human Development and Family Studies, Colorado State University
HDFS 101: Individual and Family Development
Dr. Ashley Harvey
Assignment Due Date
1
Footnotes will not be a part of student papers and are only for clarification on this sample paper.
The
question selected for this sample paper is similar to the current choices, but is not one of the current choices. The
prompt for this paper was:
Many young adults find themselves in what is commonly referred to as the "sandwich
generation." They are responsible for raising their own children, while dealing with the increased needs of aging
parents. a) Reflect on your life, either real or in the MVL simulation, and describe three sandwich-generation
challenges that you might face as you reach your 30's and 40's. b) If and when you face these challenges, what
coping strategies will you use and how effective do you think they will be?
2
Sandwich Generation
American demographic changes over the last three decades, including increased life
expectancy, higher divorce rates, and older ages in first marriages, have shifted responsibilities in
adulthood (Riley & Bowen, 2005). These changes have contributed to an increasing number of
individuals placed with the task of caring for both young children and aging parents
simultaneously. In the past, those charged with this responsibility have generally been 40-65
years old, or in
Erikson’s gener
ativity stage (Arnett & Jensen, 2019; Harvey, 2021, Ch. 11
2
);
however, because of these demographic changes, young adults appear to be now taking on the
responsibility of transgenerational caregiving (Riley & Bowen, 2005
3
). Individuals maintaining a
caregiver role for both younger and older generations are appropriately referred to as the
sandwich generation. Sandwiched with dual roles, sandwich generation members often face
many challenges and consequences, including experiencing feelings of unpredictability and loss
of control, undergoing trickle-down effects, and suffering the burden of resource depletion
(Boyczuk & Fletcher, 2016). Several different coping skills can be employed to reduce the
impact these challenges have on daily life.
My personal experience with being part of this sandwich generation, along with my
experiences in the My Virtual Life simulation, illustrate both the rewards in feelings of self-
worth and purpose as well as substantial challenges. One challenge relates to the significant
amount of control that is lost when providing care to both parents and young children (Boyczuk
& Fletcher, 2016). Changes to routines can be hard at any age, especially for children and the
elderly, meaning that often the sandwich generation experiences a more inflexible schedule.
Compounded with the unpredictability of elder’s health, these situations can spin out of control
2
When citing PowerPoint, APA format does not list the Chapter #. This is required for HDFS 101 only.
3
2005 is outside the ten-year range for adequate sources. However, given that only one research-based source is
required, the 2016 source meets the ten-
year requirement and thus the 2005 source can be included as an “extra”
source, even if older than 10 years.
3
without careful attention. This can result in members of the sandwich generation living in
constant anticipation and anxiety (Riley & Bowen, 2005). While my adult in the simulation did
not have to alter her schedule a great deal, she began to worry more about the health and
wellbeing of her father, especially when he started showing some early signs of dementia.
Another consequence for the sandwich generation is the trickle-down effect, or when
unexpected responsibilities fall on family members (Boyczuk & Fletcher, 2016). For example, in
a dual-earner household, responsibilities are often shared between partners. When aging parents
are in need of care, one partner may be unable to complete the many other previously held
responsibilities such as caring for children or household chores. Thus, those responsibilities are
either neglected or fall on the other partner to complete (Boyczuk & Fletcher, 2016). The trickle-
down effect can result in significant stress and strain within the entire family unit, and while all
parties will experience some impact, the sandwiched caregiver feels it most. Riley and Bowen
(2005) report nearly half of transgenerational caregivers
’
experience declines in mental health,
with anxiety and depression as the most common outcomes. My adult in the simulation
experienced some of this when the health condition of her parents degraded to the point of
needing to move out of their house. My adult, a mother caring for two children while working a
full-time job, found herself struggling to deal with the stress of finding a suitable new place for
her parents to live while also trying to sell their house (MVL Simulation, 2021).
Another major concern for the sandwich generation involves resource depletion, or lack
of time, money, and energy (Boyczuk & Fletcher, 2016). For sandwich generation caregivers,
these valuable resources are unfortunately spread thin, with little leftover for personal interests
and needs. This can exacerbate the already increased risk for mental health disorders in the
population (Riley & Bowen, 2005). My adult in the simulation exhibited resource depletion as
she began spending more of her weekends attending to her parents’ needs rather than resting a
nd
relaxing. This left her with less energy to go return to work on Mondays.
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4
Considering these and other negative effects of being part of the sandwich generation, it
is important to identify and utilize various tools and coping mechanisms for maintaining self-
care and prioritizing
one’s own health
. Some of these include leading a healthy lifestyle (e.g.,
healthy eating habits and active hobbies), maintaining firm and fair boundaries, and utilizing a
support network (Arnett & Jensen, 2019; Riley & Bowen, 2005). Leading a healthy lifestyle,
especially when doing this as a family, can increase feelings of connectedness and delay the
onset of when aging parents begin to need care (Arnett & Jensen, 2019). This also gives the
sandwich generation more time to save resources and care for their children. Maintaining firm
and fair boundaries with parents and children can help avoid
the sandwich generation’s tendency
to neglect their personal needs. This fosters a deeper and more understanding bond, and help
avoid energy depletion (Arnett & Jensen, 2019). Finally, the support of friends and other
relatives can be extremely helpful when the pressures and responsibilities of being part of the
sandwich generation feel overwhelming (Riley & Bowen, 2005). U
sing one’s
support network
can help rejuvenate the mind, body, and spirit while dispelling the feeling of loneliness.
As the sandwich generation becomes younger and larger, their responsibilities are
maximizing, and their personal time is minimizing (Riley & Bowen, 2005). Challenges such as a
loss of control, a trickle-down effect, and resource depletion have validated the important need
for self-care and useful coping strategies (Boyczuk & Fletcher, 2016). Through improving
physical health, maintaining boundaries, and utilizing support systems, families as a whole
benefit, especially those in the dual-caregiver role (Arnett & Jensen, 2019; Riley & Bowen,
2005). With these strategies, being sandwiched may become more rewarding than taxing.
5
References
Arnett, J. J., & Jensen, L. A. (2019).
Human development: A cultural approach
(3
rd
ed.).
Pearson.
Boyczk, A. M., & Fletcher, P. C. (2016). The ebbs and flows: Stresses of sandwich generation
caregivers.
Journal of Adult Development, 23,
51-61. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10804-
015-9221-6
Harvey, A. (2021).
Ch. 11 Middle Adulthood
[PowerPoint slides]. Colorado State University
Canvas. http://info.canvas.colostate.edu/
My Virtual Life Simulation [computer software]. (2021). Colorado State University: Pearson
Education.
Riley, L. D., & Bowen, C. (2005
4
). The sandwich generation: Challenges and coping strategies
of multigenerational families.
The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples
and Families, 13,
52-58. http://doi.org/10.1177/1066480704270099
4
2005 is outside the ten-year range for adequate sources. However, given that only one research-based source is
required, the 2016 source meets the ten-
year requirement and thus the 2005 source can be included as an “extra”
source, even if older than 10 years.