Research Jorik Vergauwen

Abstract

During the 2020 pandemic, experts have referred to the "changing" or even "detrimental" impact of the recent lockdowns on family relations. Most claims were based on anecdotal evidence or, at best, at small-scale non-representative ad hoc surveys. This study will gain insights in intergenerational relationships drawing on nationally representative samples in a European comparative perspective. The topic of intergenerational relationships deserves close attention as the need for self-isolation has been higher for elderly during the virus outbreak. At the same time, older people strongly depend on interpersonal exchanges since relatives are crucial in their social network, support supply and well-being. Hence, the elderly may face a double adversity: the impact of infection and, indirectly, the greater hindrances of social confinement. This research aims to assess the changing vulnerabilities in family relations in the light of the 2020 pandemic. The important question arises whether intergenerational relationships are strengthened or weakened and how family characteristics play their role in this process. The project studies three aspects: intergenerational contact, informal support and well-being. In particular, it targets the impact of gender, household composition and socio-economic status. Using the COVID-19-tailored SHARE survey data for 50 000 Europeans aged 50+ collected in 27 countries, the study also addresses the heterogeneity in policy and social contexts.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Mortelmans Dimitri
• Co-promoter: Vergauwen Jorik

Research team(s)

• Centre for Population, Family and Health

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The sociological field of intergenerational solidarity studies the type and intensity of interactions between adult children and their parents. For upward informal caregiving (children looking after their parents), it has been acknowledged that care arrangements are shaped within families. Although it are individual children who care for their parents, the amount of care a child provides is generally the outcome of a collective family decision. Gender stands out as a determinant of the care a child provides. Caregiving is unfairly weighted against women, especially in male-dominated families. An important feature of informal caregiving is its fluidity. Caregiving in families can be renegotiated at any time, frequently because of changes in the lives of caregivers or shifting needs of the care receiver. This project examines the extent to which caregiving is subject to change, and how this relates to the gender composition of children and other aspects of the family context. Using a rich longitudinal panel, we pursue 4 aims: (1) to examine to what extent the gender composition of siblings affects the care use of parents, (2) to assess the association between gender composition and stability of the adult-child care network, (3) to study the stability and redistribution of the informal care burden and how this relates to siblings' gender composition, and 4) to investigate how the care network and distribution of sibling care vary when parents' care needs change.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Mortelmans Dimitri
• Co-promoter: Vergauwen Jorik

Research team(s)

• Centre for Population, Family and Health

Project website

Project type(s)

• Research Project

Abstract

The main objective of the TAKE-project is to investigate non-take up (NTU) across Belgian public policy provisions. TAKE aims to make progress on three dimensions: how big is the problem, how can it be explained, and how should policy be (re)designed in order to maximize take-up? In addition, the project aims at examining the consequences of NTU in terms of budgetary impact and equity and at identifying the possible best practices in monitoring NTU by public administrations. For doing so, TAKE will adopt a multi-benefit approach. The focus of attention is on households with low incomes. TAKE will investigate how NTU in a variety of public goods and services affects their living standard, and how NTU can be reduced across public provisions. This project aims to jointly assess a wide variety of public provisions for citizens and companies: cash social assistance (both for the elderly and those at active age), cost compensatory benefits targeted at low income households (e.g. the 'Beneficiary of Increased Reimbursement'(BIR) in health insurance, reduced tariffs for utilities and mobility), social services (e.g. debt counselling, labour market counselling) and employer wage subsidies targeted at the low-skilled. Methodologically, the TAKE project makes use of a range of data sources and innovative research methods. First, we will collect new survey data which allow for a proper investigation into NTU in Belgium. We will carry out a survey, which is expressly tailored to the needs of making an integrated in-depth study of the size, characteristics, causes and consequences of NTU of policy measures targeted at vulnerable groups. A sample will be drawn from administrative data available to the Crossroads Bank on Social Security (CBSS). Second, for identifying NTU, one also needs a model which replicates the eligibility tests on the basis of the variables in the survey. The existing static tax-benefit microsimulation model MEFISTO will be extended and refined for doing so. MEFISTO has been developed in the framework of the IWT-SBO project 'FLEMOSI: a tool for ex ante evaluation of socio-economic policies in Flanders' (2010-2013) (see http://www.flemosi.be/easycms/MEFISTO). Third, TAKE will make use of a field experiment to test the effect of various triggers and encouragements on the uptake of the "Beneficiary of Increased Reimbursement" (BIR) statute within health insurance. Fourth, in order to study the institutional context, we will develop TAKE_ISSOC (working title), i.e. a structured and searchable database which contains the details of eligibility tests of the social benefits covered by the project and how they are implemented in practice. In addition, TAKE_ISSOC will cover measures that public administrations currently take to reduce NTU, and current monitoring practices and their outcomes with regard to NTU. The TAKE project will gather similar information on Sweden and the United Kingdom in order to identify and assess good practices. Fifth, TAKE will exploit existing administrative data collected by public agencies to investigate NTU of employment subsidies targeted at the low-skilled and other vulnerable groups in the period 2004-2013. Longitudinal administrative data from the National Social Security Office (NSSO) and from the National Employment Office (NEO) will be used for doing so. Six, to better understand the reasons for NTU of employment subsidies, the existing survey on administrative charges will be used. This survey measures the costs of administrative charges related to employment legislation incurred by employers in Belgium. TAKE will be able to gather valuable information on non-take up of wage subsidies by adding specific questions to this survey.

Researcher(s)

• Promoter: Goedemé Tim
• Promoter: Van Mechelen Natascha
• Co-promoter: Goedemé Tim
• Co-promoter: Mortelmans Dimitri
• Co-promoter: Verbist Gerlinde
• Co-promoter: Vergauwen Jorik

Research team(s)

• Herman Deleeck Centre for Social Policy

Project website

Project type(s)

• Research Project