Merril Silverstein

• 2025 Spring
  • HFS 363 Midlife Development and Gerontology
• 2024 Fall
  • SOC/WGS 281 Sociology of Families
• 2024 Summer
  • HFS/SOC/SWK 443/643 Aging in the Context of Family Life
• 2023 Fall
  • SOC/WGS 281 Sociology of Families
• 2023 Summer
  • HFS/SOC/SWK 443/643 Aging in the Context of Family Life

Merril Silverstein, Ph.D., is inaugural holder of the Marjorie Cantor Chair in Aging Studies at Syracuse University in the Maxwell School's Department of Sociology and in Falk College's Department of Human Development and Family Science.

He received a doctorate in sociology from Columbia University. Published in over 150 research publications, he has focused on aging in the context of family life, with an emphasis on life course and international perspectives. He serves as principal investigator of the Longitudinal Study of Generations and has had projects in China, Sweden, the Netherlands and Israel.

He is a Brookdale Fellow and Fulbright Senior Scholar and between 2010-2014 served as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences.

"Intergenerational solidarity with digital communication among Korean adult children and older parents: Associations with mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic", Sponsored by Academy of Korean Studies.

"Developing an Instrument to Assess Intergenerational Digital Communication by Older Adults: Expanding the Solidarity Model", Sponsored by Retirement Research Foundation.

"Spirituality and Prosocial Values in the Absence of Religion Among Millennials and their Families", Sponsored by John Templeton Foundation.

"Intergenerational Antecedents of Care to Older Adults Approaching the End of Life With or Without Dementia", Sponsored by National Institutes of Health (NIH)/DHHS.

"Religiosity and Mortality Risk in Later Life", Sponsored by National Institutes of Health (NIH)/DHHS.

• Books
  • Continuity and Discontinuity in Religion and Spirituality Across Generations in Six European and North American Nations. Silverstein, M. D., Gartner, C. and Brown, M. T. (eds.) Lexington Press, 2024.
  • Silverstein, M. D., "Aging Families in Chinese Society." In Aging Families in Chinese Society. , 2021.
  • Bengtson, V. L., Silverstein, M. D., "New dimensions in spirituality, religion, and aging." In New Dimensions in Spirituality, Religion, and Aging. , 2018.
  • Wilmoth, J. M., Silverstein, M. D., "Social support and service provision to older adults: An introduction and overview." In Later-Life Social Support and Service Provision in Diverse and Vulnerable Populations: Understanding Networks of Care. , 2017.
  • Silverstein, M. D., Giarrusso, R., "Kinship and cohort in an aging society: From generation to generation." In Kinship and Cohort in an Aging Society: From Generation to Generation. , 2013.
  • Handbook of Theories of Aging. Bengtson, V. L., Silverstein, M. D., Putney, N. and Gans, D. (eds.) Springer, 2008.
  • Intergenerational Relations Across Time and Place. Silverstein, M. D. (ed.) Springer, 2004.
• Journal Articles
  • Hwang, W., Hadi, N., Zhang, W., Brown, M. T. and Silverstein, M. D., "Does intergenerational solidarity with adult children reduce middle-aged parents’ risk of mortality in later life?." Applied Research in Quality of Life, 2024.
  • Hwang, W., Hadi, N., Brown, M. T. and Silverstein, M. D., "Intergenerational and digital solidarity: Associations with depressive symptoms during the COVID‐19 pandemic." Journal of Marriage and Family, 2024.
  • Zhang, W. (Primary Investigator), Silverstein, M. D. and Xu, Y., "Older parents’ perceptions of children’s filial piety in rural China: The roles of coresidence, geographic proximity, and intergenerational support." Chinese Journal of Sociology, 2024.
  • Kong, D., Lu, P., Wu, B. and Silverstein, M. D., "Parent–child relationship typologies and associated health status among older adults in the United States and China: A cross-cultural comparison." Innovation in Aging, 2024.
  • Albertini, M., Lewin-Epstein, N., Silverstein, M. D. and Tur-Sinai, A., "Becoming sandwiched in later life: Consequences for individuals’ wellbeing and variation across welfare regimes." Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 2023.
  • Silverstein, M. D., Hwang, W. and Kim, J., "Did gender egalitarianism weaken religiosity in baby-boom women? A developmental-historical approach." Sociology of Religion, 2023.
  • Hwang, W., Zhang, X., Brown, M. T., Vasilenko, S. A. and Silverstein, M. D., "Does religiosity promote psychological well-being in the transition to established adulthood?." Applied Research in Quality of Life, 2023.
  • Zhang, W., Silverstein, M. D., "Does the economic status of adult children influence self-rated health among older adults in China?." Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 2023.
  • Hwang, W., Hadi, N., Brown, M. T. and Silverstein, M. D., "Intergenerational and digital solidarity: Associations with depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic." Journal of Marriage and Family, 2023.
  • Hwang, W., Min, J., Brown, M. T. and Silverstein, M. D., "Intergenerational solidarity and digital communication during the Covid-19 pandemic in South Korea: Implications for dyadic well-being." Family Process, 2023.
  • Hwang, W., Kim, J., Brown, M. T. and Silverstein, M. D., "Intergenerational solidarity of young adults with parents from emerging to established adulthood." Journal of Family Psychology, 2023.
  • Hwang, W., Fu, X., Brown, M. T. and Silverstein, M. D., "Intergenerational solidarity with digital communication and psychological well-being among older parents during the COVID-19 pandemic." Family Process, 2023.
  • Hwang, W., Cheng, K., Brown, M. T. and Silverstein, M. D., "Stability and change of religiosity among baby boomers in adulthood: Associations with familism over time." Advances in Life Course Research, 2023.
  • Hwang, W., Cheng, K. J., Kim, J. H., Brown, M. T., Vasilenko, S. A. and Silverstein, M. D., "Religiosity and Mental Health Among Young-Adults in Generation X from Emerging to Established Adulthood." Journal of Adult Development, 2023.
  • Silverstein, M. D., Hwang, W., Kim, J. H., Yoon, J. and Vasilenko, S. A., "The Relationship Between Religiosity and Marriage From Emerging to Established Adulthood." Journal of Adult Development, 2023.
  • Cong, Z., Pei, Y., Silverstein, M. D., Li, S. and Wu, B., "Children's Divorce and their Financial Support to Older Parents in Rural China." Research on Aging, 2023.
  • Hwang, W., Kim, J. H., Brown, M. T. and Silverstein, M. D., "Do religious transitions from early to established adulthood predict filial elder-care norms?." Journal of Marriage and Family, 2023.
  • Silverstein, M. D., Xu, Y., "Older grandparents caring for grandchildren in rural China: Cohort change in resources and deficits across 17 years." Public Policy & Aging Report, 2022.
  • Silverstein, M. D., Wallace, R., "The National Social Life, Health and Aging Project (NSHAP): Round 3. Supplemental Issue." Journal of Gerontology Social Sciences, 2022.
  • Hwang, W., Fu, X., Brown, M. T. and Silverstein, M. D., "Digital and Non-Digital Solidarity between Older Parents and Their Middle-Aged Children: Associations with Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2022.
  • Hwang, W., Kim, J. H., Cheng, K. J., Brown, M. T. and Silverstein, M. D., "Reciprocal associations between affectual, associational, and normative solidarity with parents during children's early to established adulthood." Family Process, 2022.
  • Hwang, W., Cheng, K. J., Brown, M. T. and Silverstein, M. D., "Religiosity of Baby-Boomers in Young Adulthood: Associations with Psychological Well-Being over the Life Course." Advances in life course research, 2022.
  • Albertini, M., Tur-Sinai, A., Lewin-Epstein, N. and Silverstein, M. D., "The Older Sandwich Generation Across European Welfare Regimes: Demographic and Social Considerations." European Journal of Population, 2022.
  • Sanders, S., Gedara, N. I., Walia, B., Boudreaux and Silverstein, M. D., "Does Aging Make Us Grittier? Disentangling the Age and Generation Effect on Passion and Perseverance." Journal of Data Science, 2022.
  • Zhang, X., Silverstein, M. D., "Intergenerational Emotional Cohesion and Psychological Well-Being of Older Adults in Rural China: A Moderated Mediation Model of Loneliness and Friendship Ties." Journals of Gerontology - Series B Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 2022.
  • Pei, Y., Cong, Z., Silverstein, M. D., Li, S. and Wu, B., "Factors Associated with Death Anxiety Among Rural Chinese Older Adults: The Terror Management Perspective." Research on Aging, 2022.
  • Li, M., Lu, S. E., Hoover, D. R., Flynn, L., Silverstein, M. D., Wu, B. and Dong, X. Q., "Family type and cognitive function in older Chinese Americans: acculturation as a moderator." Aging and Mental Health, 2022.
  • Hwang, W., Zhang, X., Brown, M. T., Vasilenko, S. A. and Silverstein, M. D., "Religious Transitions Among Baby Boomers From Young Adulthood to Later Life: Associations with Psychological Well-Being Over 45 Years." International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 2022.
  • Hwang, W., Brown, M., Yoon, J. and Silverstein, M. D., "A multidimensional typology of religiosity in three generation families." Psychology of Religion and Spirituality, 2021.
  • Hwang, W., Brown, M., Chang, K. and Silverstein, M. D., "Does religiosity in early adulthood predict change in filial eldercare norms after midlife among baby-boomers?." Journal of Family Psychology, 2021.
  • Hwang, W., Cakirsoy-Aslan, A. D., Brown, M. T. and Silverstein, M. D., "Husband–Wife Religious Denomination Homogamy and Marital Satisfaction Over Time: The Moderating Role of Religious Intensity." Family Relations, 2021.
  • Hwang, W., Kim, J. H., Brown, M. T. and Silverstein, M. D., "Are Filial Eldercare Norms Related to Intergenerational Solidarity With Older Parents? A Typological Developmental Approach." Journal of Family Psychology, 2021.
  • Kim, J. H., Silverstein, M. D., "Are Filial Piety and Ethnic Community Engagement Associated With Psychological Wellbeing Among Older Chinese American Immigrants? A Cultural Resource Perspective." Research on Aging, 2021.
  • Silverstein, M. D., Zuo, D., "Grandparents caring for grandchildren in rural China: consequences for emotional and cognitive health in later life." Aging and Mental Health, 2021.
  • Hwang, W., Yoon, J., Brown, M. T. and Silverstein, M. D., "Is the relationship between religiosity and filial elder-care norms declining? A comparison between two middle-aged generations." Journal of Religion, Spirituality and Aging, 2021.
  • Silverstein, M. D., Zhang, W., "Grandparents’ financial contributions to grandchildren in rural China: The role of remittances, household structure, and patrilineal culture." Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 2020.
  • Silverstein, M. D., Tur-Sinai, A. and Lewis-Epstein, N., "Intergenerational support of older adults by the ‘mature’ sandwich generation: The relevance of national policy regimes." Theoretical Inquiries in Law, 2020.
  • Silverstein, M. D., Gong, C. H. and Kendig, H., "Perceived availability of future care and depressive symptoms among older adults in China: Evidence from CHARLS." BMC Geriatrics, 2020.
  • Mao, W., Chi, I., Prindle, J. and Silverstein, M. D., "The reciprocal relationship between instrumental support from children and self-rated health among older adults over time in rural China." Journal of Aging and Health, 2020.
  • Steinbach, A., Silverstein, M. D., "The relationship between religion and intergenerational solidarity in eastern and western Germany." Journal of Family Issues, 2020.
  • Gilligan, M., Suitor, J. J., Rurka, M. and Silverstein, M. D., "Multigenerational social support in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic." Journal of Family Theory and Review, 2020.
• Book Chapters
  • Brown, M. T., Blankholm, J., Hoesley, D., Hwang, W. and Silverstein, M. D., "Intergenerational evolution of religiosity and spirituality: Differences by sexual identity." In Religious Continuity and Discontinuity Across Generations in Six European and North American Nations.. Lexington Press.
  • Hwang, W., Blankholm, J., Hoesley, D., Harris, R., Brown, M. T. and Silverstein, M. D., "Spiritual beliefs and practices of the non-religious: A cross-generational perspective.." In Religious Continuity and Discontinuity Across Generations in Six European and North American NationsLexing. Lexington Press, 2024.
  • Zhang, W., Silverstein, M. D., "Preferences for long-term care among older adults in China: The role of family structure and children’s socioeconomic achievement." In Aging Families in Chinese Society: Social, Demographic, and Policy Considerations. Silverstein, M. D. (ed.) Routledge Press, 2021.
  • Silverstein, M. D., "Growing old and growing up: Grandparents and their adult grandchildren in the context of multigenerational families." In Grandparenting: Influences on the Dynamics of Family Relationships. Hayslip, B., Fruhauf, C. A. (eds.) Springer, 2019.
  • Bengtson, V. L., Silverstein, M. D., "How grandparents influence the religiosity of their grandchildren: A mixed methods study of three-generation families in the United States." In Grandparenting Practices Around the World. Timonen, V. (ed.) Policy Press, 2018.
  • Peng, S., Silverstein, M. D., Suitor, J., Gilligan, M., Hwang, W., Nam, S. and Routh, B., "Use of communication technology to maintain intergenerational contact: Toward an understanding of digital solidarity." In Connecting families? Information and communication technologies, generations, and the life course. Neves, B. B., Casimiro, C. (eds.) Policy Press, 2018.
  • Silverstein, M. D., "Intergenerational solidarity: Dualities in the evolution of a paradigm." In The Oxford Handbook of Positive Psychology. Snyder, C. R., Lopez, S. J., Edwards, L. M. and Marques, S. C. (eds.) Oxford University Press, 2017.
• Book Review
  • Silverstein, M. D., Bengtson, V. L., "Review of Handbook of Aging and the Family." Contemporary Gerontology, 1995.
• Encyclopedia Entries
  • Silverstein, M. D., Intergenerational relations: Global perspectives. Encyclopedia of Global Studies. Juergensmeyer, M., Anheier, H. K. (eds.) Sage Publications, 2011.
  • Silverstein, M. D., "Biography of Vern Bengtson." In Encyclopedia of the Life Course and Human Development. Carr, D. (ed.) Gale Publications, 2009.
  • Silverstein, M. D., "Caregiving." In Encyclopedia of the Life Course and Human Development. Carr, D. (ed.) Gale Publications, 2009.
  • Ruiz, S., Silverstein, M. D., Families: Intergenerational relationships. Encyclopedia of Human Relationships. Reis, H., Sprecher, S. (eds.) Sage Publications, 2009.
  • Silverstein, M. D., "Grandchildren." In Encyclopedia of the Life Course and Human Development. Carr, D. (ed.) Gale Publications, 2009.
  • Silverstein, M. D., Parent-child relationships: Adulthood. Encyclopedia of the Life Course and Human Development. Carr, D. (ed.) Gale Publications, 2009.
  • Biblarz, T. B., Bengtson, V. L. and Silverstein, M. D., "Intergenerational exchange and relationships." In Blackwell Encyclopedia of Sociology. Ritzer, G. (ed.) Blackwell Publications, 2007.
• Letter, Journal
  • Gans, D., Silverstein, M. D. and Lowenstein, A., "Do religious children care more and provide more care to older parents? A study of filial norms and behaviors across Five Nations." Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 2010.
• Review, Journals
  • Silverstein, M. D., Conroy, S. J. and Gans, D., "Beyond solidarity, reciprocity and altruism: Moral capital as a unifying concept in intergenerational support for older people." Ageing and Society, 2012.
  • Cong, Z., Silverstein, M. D., "Caring for grandchildren and intergenerational support in rural China: A gendered extended family perspective." Ageing and Society, 2012.
  • Silverstein, M. D., Giarrusso, R., "Aging and family life: A decade review." Journal of Marriage and Family, 2010.
  • Silverstein, M. D., Ruiz, S., "Breaking the chain: How grandparents moderate the transmission of maternal depression to their grandchildren." Family Relations, 2006.
  • Feng, D., Silverstein, M. D., Giarrusso, R., McArdle, J. J. and Bengtson, V. L., "Attrition of older adults in longitudinal surveys: Detection and correction of sample selection bias using multigenerational data." Journals of Gerontology - Series B Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 2006.
  • Bengtson, V., Giarrusso, R., Mabry, J. B. and Silverstein, M. D., "Solidarity, conflict, and ambivalence: Complementary or competing perspectives on intergenerational relationships?." Journal of Marriage and Family, 2002.
  • Chen, X., Silverstein, M. D., "Intergenerational social support and the psychological well-being of older parents in China." Research on Aging, 2000.

Gerontological Society of America, "Dementia Care for Biological Parents in Step-Families" (November, 2024)

Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, "Spirituality Among the Non-Religious: Differences across Generations" (October, 2024)

Nordic Congress of Gerontology,, "New Directions in Intergenerational Research on Support and Care in Ageing Families," (August, 2024)

Ageing and Social Change, University of Galway, "Discussant, Keynote Address on Social Networks and Ageing by Vanessa Burholt" (July, 2024)

Ageing and Social Change, "Filial Piety Perceptions by Older Parents in Rural China" (July, 2024)

International Conference on Population and Sustainable Development,, Xi'an Jiaotong University, "Filial Piety Perceptions by Older Parents in Rural China: Variation Across Space and Place" (May, 2024)

Population Association of America, "Discussant: Migration and Aging at the Population Association of America," (April, 2024)

Asian Conference on Aging and Gerontology, "ilial Piety and its Discontents: Variation in Evaluating Adult Children as “Filial” by Older Parents in Rural China" (March, 2024)

University of Torino, Italy, " Intergenerational Transmission of Religion" (March, 2024)

Graduate student training in gerontology, SWEAH Alumni Interdisciplinary Networkm University of Lund, "Social Theories in Gerontology" (March, 2024)

Swedish National Graduate School on Ageing and Health , Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden, "Theories in Social Gerontology: Past, Present and Future" (March, 2024)

Gerontological Society of America, "Digital Communication as Compensation for Infrequent In-Person Contact With Grandchildren During the Pandemic" (November, 2023)

Gerontological Society of America, "Intergenerational Solidarity and Filial Piety Perceived by Older Adults in Rural China " (November, 2023)

Gerontological Society of America, "Social Sandwiching and Paid Work in Later Life: Consequences on Mental Health" (November, 2023)

Gerontological Society of America, "Transmission of Religiosity between Grandparents and Grandchildren As a Basis for Eldercare Responsibility in Young Adults" (November, 2023)

Society for the Scientific Study of Religion, "Did Strengthened Values of Gender Egalitarianism Weaken Religiosity in Baby-Boom Women? A Developmental-Historical Approach" (October, 2023)

American Sociological Assosication, "Gender Attitudes and Religiosity of Women Through Time" (August, 2023)

International Conference to Explore Population Ageing Causes, Consequences and Responses, Center for Excellence in Ageing Research, University of Sydney, "Historical Change in Grandparent Caregiving in Rural China" (July, 2023)

Changing Demographics Can Result in Strengthening Families , Generations United, "Intergenerational Solidarity and its Continued Relevance in Contemporary Older Families" (July, 2023)

International Sociological Association, "Digital and Other Forms of Communication between Older Parents and Adult Children During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Associations with Relational Outcomes" (June, 2023)

International Sociological Association, "Gender Egalitarianism and Religiosity: A Historical-Contextual Perspective" (June, 2023)

30th John K. Friesen Conference: Forging New Frontiers in Aging ., Simon Fraser University, "Intergenerational Exchanges and Filial Piety in Rural China" (June, 2023)

Silverstein, M. D., Blankholm, J., Organized workshop: Intergenerational Transmission of Religion, John Templeton Foundation (May, 2023)

Intimacy and Family Life, University of London, SOAS, "Variation in Filial Piety of Adult Children by Support Received by Adults in Rural China" (May, 2023)

Population Association of America, "Symposium on Consequences of Caregiving for Health and Wellbeing " (April, 2023)

Karolinska Institute, Aging Research Center, "Are Multidisciplinary Theories of Aging Possible? " (March, 2023)

Ageing and Wellbeing in China, University of Manchester, "Filial Piety Perceived by Older Parents in Rural China" (March, 2023)

University of Stockholm, School of Social Work, "Intergenerational Solidarity in Emerging Adulthood and Later Provision of Care and Support to Vulnerable Older Parents" (March, 2023)

University of Gävle, School of Social Work, "Intergenerational Transmission of Religiosity" (March, 2023)

"New Dynamics of Aging and Long-term Care in the Context of Family life in China" (December, 2020)

"Population Aging and Preferences for Long-term Care in China" (February, 2020)

Olson Award for Bridging Research, Theory, and Practice, National Council on Family Relations (2024)

Olson Award for Bridging Research, Theory, and Practice, National Council on Family Relations (2023)

Outstanding Contribution to Graduate Education, Graduate School, Syracuse University (May, 2023)

Chancellor’s Citation for Excellence - Faculty Excellence and Scholarly Distinction, Syracuse University: One University Awards (2021)

Matilda White Riley Distinguished Scholar Award, American Sociological Association (2020)