Birditt,Kira S | Survey Research Center

Research Professor, Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research

Photo of Birditt,Kira S

Biography

Kira Birditt earned a PhD in Human Development and Family Studies from Pennsylvania State University and B.A. and M.S. degrees in Psychology from Western Washington University. She serves as a Research Associate Professor at the Survey Research Center and the Director of the Aging and Biopsychosocial Innovations Program, both at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research (ISR).

Dr. Birditt’s program of research focuses on negative aspects of relationships, stress, and the implications of relationships and stress for health and well-being over time (using both self-reported and biological indicators of health). She is particularly interested in understanding how relationships differentially influence health and well-being depending on the context of stress. Most of her projects involve examining individuals and dyads either over time and or within families. Results from multiple projects indicate that aspects of relationships that are beneficial or harmful are often very different when individuals are under stress.

Projects

Aging & Biopsychosocial Innovations

Aging & Biopsychosocial Innovations

Alcohol Consumption and Cardiovascular Health Among Older Couples: The Roles of Genetics and Marital Quality

Alcohol Consumption and Cardiovascular Health Among Older Couples: The Roles of Genetics and Marital Quality

Landscapes of Population Health

Landscapes of Population Health

Funded Research

Publications

Ng, Yee To, Vicki A Freedman, Kratz, Anna, Kira S Birditt. 2025. Beyond Caregiving: Daily Pleasant Activities among Caregivers to Older Adults with and without Dementia. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B 80(2):gbae198.
Huo, Meng, Leger, Kate A., Kira S Birditt, Fingerman, Karen L.. 2025. Empathy is associated with older adults’ social behaviors and verbal emotional expressions throughout the day. Scientific Reports 15(1):1-11.
Jane M. Stephenson, Angela Turkelson, Karen L. Fingerman, Kira S Birditt. 2025. I love you no matter what: Negative relationship quality and daily encounters in the parent-child tie and their implications for daily mood across the lifespan. Family Process 64(1):e13094.
Zexi Zhou, Shiyang Zhang, Yijung K. Kim, Kira S Birditt. 2024. Need to belong, daily social engagement, and transient loneliness in late life. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships 41(1):115-136.
Kira S Birditt, Newton, Nicky J, Angela Elizabeth Turkelson, Polenick, Courtney A, Zhou, Zexi, Fingerman, Karen L. 2024. Daily Rumination among Older Men and Women: The Role of Perceived Family and Non-Family Social Partner Life Stress. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B 79(5):gbae027.
Dustin Gad, Jenna L. Wells, Amanda Piechota, Brooke Feeney, Kira S Birditt, Richard A. Marottoli, Joseph E. Gaugler, Ana-Maria Vranceanu, Joan K. Monin. 2024. Positive affect expression during a play interaction and psychological health among older adults living with cognitive impairment and their adult children. Aging & Mental Health
Monin, Joan K, Shah, Maya, Chang, Wei, Feeney, Brooke C, Kira S Birditt, Gaugler, Joseph E, Vranceanu, Ana Maria, Marottoli, Richard. 2024. Associations between Attachment and Depressive Symptoms among Older Adults Living with Early-Stage Cognitive Impairment and their Adult Children. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B 79(10):gbae137.
Zhang, Shiyang, Zhou, Zexi, Fingerman, Karen L, Kira S Birditt. 2024. Loneliness and Mode of Social Contact in Late Life. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B 79(9):gbae115.
Megan E Patrick, Yvonne M Terry-McElrath, Sarah Peterson, Kira S Birditt. 2023. Age- and Sex-Varying Associations Between Depressive Symptoms and Substance Use from Modal Ages 35 to 55 in a National Sample of U.S. Adults. Prevention Science
Ng, Yee To, Fingerman, Karen L, Kira S Birditt. 2023. Friendships and Emotional Well-being in the Context of Race and Age. The Gerontologist
Joan K. Monin, Gail McAvay, Talha Ali, Brooke C. Feeney, Richard Marottoli, Joseph E. Gaugler, Kira S Birditt. 2023. Activities of Daily Living Needs and Support in Adult Child-Parent Dyads. GeroPsych 36(2)
Vicki A Freedman, Agree, Emily M, Seltzer, Judith A, Kira S Birditt, Fingerman, Karen L, Esther M Friedman, Lin, I-Fen, Margolis, Rachel, Park, Sung S, Sarah Elizabeth Patterson, Polenick, Courtney A, Reczek, Rin, Reyes, Adriana M, Truskinovsky, Yulya, Wiemers, Emily E, Wu, Huijing, Wolf, Douglas A, Wolff, Jennifer L, Zarit, Steven H. 2023. Changing Demography of Late-Life Family Caregiving: A Research Agenda to Understand Future Care Networks for An Aging U.S. Population. The Gerontologist
Kira S Birditt, Angela Elizabeth Turkelson, Javaid, Sarah, Gonzalez,Richard D, Toni C Antonucci. 2023. Implications of Cumulative Life Event Stress for Daily Stress Exposure and Cardiovascular Reactivity Among Black and White Americans. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B 78(7):1224-1235.
Zhang, Shiyang, Fingerman, Karen L, Kira S Birditt. 2023. Detecting Narcissism from Older Adults’ Daily Language Use: A Machine Learning Approach. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B 78(9):1493-1500.
Fingerman, Karen L, Zhou, Zexi, Huo, Meng, Luong, Gloria, Kira S Birditt. 2023. Enduring Bonds: Duration and Contact in Close Relationships in Late Life. The Gerontologist
Kira S Birditt, Angela Elizabeth Turkelson, Polenick, Courtney A, Cranford, James A, Jennifer Ann Smith, Erin Bakshis Ware, Blow, Frederic C. 2023. Alcohol Use and Mortality among Older Couples in the United States: Evidence of Individual and Partner Effects. The Gerontologist
Vicki A Freedman, Agree, Emily M, Seltzer, Judith A, Kira S Birditt, Fingerman, Karen L, Esther M Friedman, Lin, I-Fen, Margolis, Rachel, Park, Sung S, Sarah Elizabeth Patterson, Polenick, Courtney A, Reczek, Rin, Reyes, Adriana M, Truskinovsky, Yulya, Wiemers, Emily E, Wu, Huijing, Wolf, Douglas A, Wolff, Jennifer L, Zarit, Steven H. 2023. The Changing Demography of Late-Life Family Caregiving: A Research Agenda to Understand Future Care Networks for an Aging U.S. Population. The Gerontologist
Yee To Ng, Sae Hwang Han, Karen L. Fingerman, Kira S Birditt. 2023. Do friends get under the skin?: Everyday social encounters and cardiovascular functioning among Black and White adults in the United States. 43(2):142–153.
Courtney A. Polenick, Lianlian Lei, Annie N. Zhou, Kira S Birditt, Donovan T. Maust. 2022. Caregiver status and illness self-efficacy during the COVID-19 pandemic among older adults with chronic conditions. Aging & Mental Health 26(3):563-569.
Fingerman, Karen L, Kim, Yijung K, Zhang, Shiyang, Ng, Yee To, Kira S Birditt. 2022. Late Life in the Living Room: Room DÃ©cor, Functional Limitations, and Personality. The Gerontologist 62(4):519-529.
Kira S Birditt, Angela Elizabeth Turkelson, Polenick, Courtney A, Cranford, James A, Blow, Frederic C. 2022. Alcohol Use and Blood Pressure Among Older Couples: The Moderating Role of Negative Marital Quality. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B 77(9):1592-1602.
Kristen N Gilley, ..., Kira S Birditt, Natalie Colabianchi, et al.. 2022. Risk Factors for COVID-19 in College Students Identified by Physical, Mental, and Social Health Reported During the Fall 2020 Semester: Observational Study Using the Roadmap App and Fitbit Wearable Sensors. JMIR Mental Health 9(2):e34645.
Ng, Yee To, Huo, Meng, Han, Sae Hwang, Kira S Birditt, Fingerman, Karen L. 2022. Older Adult’s Marital Status, Conversation Frequency, and Well-Being in Everyday Life. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B 77(3):499-512.
Courtney A. Polenick, Kira S Birditt, Angela Elizabeth Turkelson, Sadie M. Shattuck, Helen C. Kales. 2022. Longitudinal associations between chronic condition discordance and perceived control among older couples. Psychology and Aging 37(3):371-387.
Lauren A. Tighe, Kira S Birditt, Angela Elizabeth Turkelson, Narayan Sastry. 2022. Under my skin: Parenting behavior and children’s cortisol in the Los Angeles family and neighborhood survey. Developmental Psychobiology 64(4):e22263-undefined.
Zhang, Shiyang, Kim, Yijung K, Fingerman, Karen L, Kira S Birditt, Charles, Susan T. 2022. Narcissism, Social Experiences, and Mood in Late Life. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B 77(8):1442-1453.
Ng, Yee To, Huo, Meng, Han, Sae Hwang, Kira S Birditt, Fingerman, Karen L. 2022. Older Adult’s Marital Status, Conversation Frequency, and Well-Being in Everyday Life. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B 77(3):499-512.
Courtney A. Polenick, Emily A. Perbix, Shreya M. Salwi, Donovan T. Maust, Kira S Birditt, Jessica M. Brooks. 2021. Loneliness During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Older Adults With Chronic Conditions. Journal of Applied Gerontology 40(8):804-813.
Polenick, Courtney A, Kira S Birditt, Turkelson, Angela, Bugajski, Benjamin C, Kales, Helen C. 2021. Discordant Chronic Conditions and Depressive Symptoms: Longitudinal Associations Among Middle-Aged and Older Couples. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B 76(3):451-460.
Polenick, Courtney A., Kira S Birditt, Turkelson, Angela, Kales, Helen C.. 2021. Chronic condition discordance and physical activity among midlife and older couples. Health Psychology 40(1):11-20.
Meng Huo, Yee To Ng, Kira S Birditt, Karen L. Fingerman. 2021. Empathy and Coping: Older Adultsâ Interpersonal Tensions and Mood throughout the Day. Gerontology 67(1):101-111.
Katherine L. Fiori, Amy J. Rauer, Kira S Birditt, Edna Brown, Terri L. Orbuch. 2021. You Arenât as Close to My Family as You Think: Discordant Perceptions About in-Laws and Risk of Divorce. Research in Human Development 17(4):258-273.
Fingerman, Karen L, Ng, Yee To, Zhang, Shiyang, Britt, Katherine, Colera, Gianna, Kira S Birditt, Charles, Susan T. 2021. Living Alone During COVID-19: Social Contact and Emotional Well-being Among Older Adults. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B 76(3):e116-e121.
Wang, Haowei, Kim, Kyungmin, Burr, Jeffrey A, Kira S Birditt, Fingerman, Karen L. 2021. Adult Childrenâs Daily Experiences With Parental Advice: The Importance of Life Problems and Relationship Quality. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B 76(9):1745-1755.
Polenick, Courtney A, Kira S Birditt, Turkelson, Angela, Perbix, Emily A, Salwi, Shreya M, Zarit, Steven H. 2021. Daily Social Interactions and HPA Axis Activity Among Midlife and Older Adults. The Gerontologist 61(6):897-906.
Kira S Birditt, Turkelson, Angela, Fingerman, Karen L, Polenick, Courtney A, Oya, Akari. 2021. Age Differences in Stress, Life Changes, and Social Ties During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for Psychological Well-Being. The Gerontologist 61(2):205-216.
Fingerman, Karen L, Ng, Yee To, Huo, Meng, Kira S Birditt, Charles, Susan T, Zarit, Steven. 2021. Functional Limitations, Social Integration, and Daily Activities in Late Life. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B 76(10):1937-1947.
Fingerman, Karen L, Kim, Yijung K, Ng, Yee To, Zhang, Shiyang, Huo, Meng, Kira S Birditt. 2021. Television Viewing, Physical Activity, and Loneliness in Late Life. The Gerontologist
Kira S Birditt, Noah J Webster, Kristine J Ajrouch, Toni C Antonucci, Sherman, Carey, Becker, Lucia . 2020. So Close and Yet So Irritating: Negative Relations and Implications for Well-being by Age and Closeness. Journals of Gerontology, Series B 75(2):327-337.
Kira S Birditt, Fuentecilla, Jamie L, Huo, Meng , Charles, Susan T, Fingerman, Karen L. 2020. Interpersonal Tensions and Pain Among Older Adults: The Mediating Role of Negative Mood. Research on Aging 42(3-4):114.
Kira S Birditt, Fingerman, Karen L, Huo, Meng . 2020. A Decade of Research on Intergenerational Ties: Technological, Economic, Political, and Demographic Changes. Journal of Marriage and Family 82(1):383-403.
Courtney A. Polenick, Yijung Kim, Nicole DePasquale, Kira S Birditt, Steven H. Zarit, Karen L. Fingerman. 2020. Midlife Childrenâs and Older Mothersâ Depressive Symptoms: Empathic Mother-Child Relationships as a Key Moderator. Family Relations 69(5):1073-1086.
Polenick, Courtney A, Kira S Birditt, Turkelson, Angela, Kales, Helen C. 2020. Individual-Level and Couple-Level Discordant Chronic Conditions: Longitudinal Links to Functional Disability. Annals of Behavioral Medicine 54(7):455-469.
Huo, Meng, Fuentecilla, Jamie L, Kira S Birditt, Fingerman, Karen L. 2020. Empathy and Close Social Ties in Late Life. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B 75(8):1648-1657.
Huo, Meng, Fuentecilla, Jamie L, Kira S Birditt, Fingerman, Karen L. 2020. Does Empathy Have a Cost? Older Adults and Social Partners Experiencing Problems. The Gerontologist 60(4):617-627.
Jamie L. Fuentecilla, Yin Liu, Meng Huo, Kyungmin Kim, Kira S Birditt, Steven H. Zarit, Karen L. Fingerman. 2020. Midlife Adults? Daily Support to Children and Parents: Implications for Diurnal Cortisol. Journal of Aging and Health 32(9):926-936.
Karen L. Fingerman, Meng Huo, Kira S Birditt. 2020. Mothers, Fathers, Daughters, and Sons: Gender Differences in Adults? Intergenerational Ties. Journal of Family Issues 41(9):1597-1625.
Karen L. Fingerman, Kira S Birditt, Debra Umberson. 2020. Use of technology for social connectedness and well-being and as a tool for research data collection in older adults. Mobile Technology for Adaptive Aging: Proceedings of a Workshop
Haowei Wang, Kyungmin Kim, Kira S Birditt, Steven H. Zarit, Karen L. Fingerman. 2020. Middle-Aged Childrenâs Coping Strategies With Tensions in the Aging Parent-Child Tie. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development 90(3):234-254.
Kira S Birditt, Noah J Webster, Newton, Nicky J, Cranford, Jim A. 2019. Chronic Stress and Negative Marital Quality Among Older Couples: Associations With Waist Circumference. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences 74(2):318-328.
Kira S Birditt, Polenick, Courtney Allyn, Van Bolt, Olga , Kim, Kyungmin , Zarit, Steven H, Fingerman, Karen L. 2019. Conflict Strategies in the Parent-Adult Child Tie: Generation Differences and Implications for Well-Being. Journals of Gerontology, Series B 74(2):232-241.
Kira S Birditt, Huo, Meng , Graham, Jamie L, Kim, Kyungmin , Fingerman, Karen L. 2019. Aging Parents' Daily Support Exchanges With Adult Children Suffering Problems. Journals of Gerontology, Series B 74(3):449-459.
Kira S Birditt, Polenick, Courtney Allyn, Sherman, Carey, Zarit, Steven H, Kales, Helen C. 2019. Purpose in Life Among Family Care Partners Managing Dementia: Links to Caregiving Gains. The Gerontologist 59(5):e424-e432.
Kira S Birditt, Manalel, Jasmine A, Sommers, Heidi , Luong, Gloria , Fingerman, Karen L. 2019. Better Off Alone: Daily Solitude Is Associated With Lower Negative Affect in More Conflictual Social Networks. The Gerontologist 59(6):1152-1161.
Kira S Birditt, Wang, Haowei , Kim, Kyungmin , Zarit, Steven H, Fingerman, Karen L. 2019. Middle-Aged Children's Coping Strategies With Tensions in the Aging Parent-Child Tie. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development :0091415018822079.
Kira S Birditt, Toni C Antonucci, Manalel, Jasmine A, Orbuch, Terri L. 2019. Beyond destructive conflict: Implications of marital tension for marital well-being. Journal of Family Psychology 33(5):597-606.
Kira S Birditt, Huo, Meng , Fuentecilla, Jamie L, Fingerman, Karen L. 2019. Older adults' empathy and daily support exchanges. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships 36(11-12):3814-3834.
Kira S Birditt, Huo, Meng , Fuentecilla, Jamie L, Fingerman, Karen L. 2019. Empathy and Close Social Ties in Late Life. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B
Kira S Birditt, Toni C Antonucci, Polenick, Courtney Allyn. 2019. Drinking Together: Implications of Drinking Partners for Negative Marital Quality. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs 80(2):167-176.
Kira S Birditt, Huo, Meng , Fuentecilla, Jamie L, Fingerman, Karen L. 2019. Does Empathy Have a Cost? Older Adults and Social Partners Experiencing Problems. The Gerontologist
Kira S Birditt, Polenick, Courtney Allyn, Cotton, Brandi Parker, Bryson, William C. 2019. Loneliness and Illicit Opioid Use Among Methadone Maintenance Treatment Patients. Substance Use & Misuse 54(13):2089-2098.
Kira S Birditt, Kim, Yijung , Kim, Kyungmin , Boerner, Kathrin , Zarit, Steven H, Fingerman, Karen L. 2019. Recent Parental Death and Relationship Qualities Between Midlife Adults and Their Grown Children. Journal of Marriage and Family 81(3):616-630.
Kira S Birditt, Fuentecilla, Jamie L, Liu, Yin , Huo, Meng , Kim, Kyungmin , Zarit, Steven H, Fingerman, Karen L. 2019. Midlife Adults' Daily Support to Children and Parents: Implications for Diurnal Cortisol. Journal of Aging and Health
Kira S Birditt, Kim, Kyungmin , Zarit, Steven H, Fingerman, Karen L. 2019. Typology of parent-child ties within families: Associations with psychological well-being.. Journal of family psychology : JFP : journal of the Division of Family Psychology of the American Psychological Association (Division 43)
Kira S Birditt, Polenick, Courtney Allyn, Luong, Gloria E, Charles, Susan , Fingerman, Karen L. 2019. Daily interpersonal tensions and well-being among older adults: The role of emotion regulation strategies.. Psychology and aging
Kira S Birditt, Angela Elizabeth Turkelson, Polenick, Courtney Allyn, Kales, Helen C. 2019. Individual-Level and Couple-Level Discordant Chronic Conditions: Longitudinal Links to Functional Disability. Annals of Behavioral Medicine
Kira S Birditt, Wang, Haowei , Kim, Kyungmin , Burr, Jeffrey A, Fingerman, Karen L. 2019. Middle-aged adults' daily sleep and worries about aging parents and adult children. Journal of family psychology: JFP: journal of the Division of Family Psychology of the American Psychological Association (Division 43)
Kira S Birditt, Toni C Antonucci, Cranford, James A, Manalel, Jasmine A. 2018. Drinking Patterns Among Older Couples: Longitudinal Associations With Negative Marital Quality. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences 73(4):655-665.
Kira S Birditt, Polenick, Courtney Allyn, Zarit, Steven H. 2018. Parental Support of Adult Children and Middle-Aged Couples' Marital Satisfaction. The Gerontologist 58(4):663-673.
Kira S Birditt, Polenick, Courtney Allyn, Fredman, Steffany J, Zarit, Steven H. 2018. Relationship Quality with Parents: Implications for Own and Partner Well-Being in Middle-Aged Couples. Family process 57(1):253-268.
Kira S Birditt, Fingerman, Karen L, Huo, Meng , Graham, Jamie L, Kim, Kyungmin . 2018. A Family Affair: Family Typologies of Problems and Midlife Well-Being. The Gerontologist 58(6):1054-1064.
Kira S Birditt, Polenick, Courtney Allyn, Kales, Helen C. 2018. Perceptions of Purpose in Life Within Spousal Care Dyads: Associations With Emotional and Physical Caregiving Difficulties. Annals of Behavioral Medicine 52(1):77-87.
Kira S Birditt, Tighe, Lauren A, Nevitt, Michael R, Zarit, Steven H. 2018. Daily Social Interactions and the Biological Stress Response: Are There Age Differences in Links Between Social Interactions and Alpha-Amylase?. The Gerontologist 58(6):1114-1125.
Kira S Birditt, Polenick, Courtney Allyn, Blow, Frederic C. 2018. CouplesÃ Alcohol Use in Middle and Later Life: Stability and Mutual Influence. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs 79(1):111-118.
Kira S Birditt, Polenick, Courtney Allyn, Renn, B N. 2018. Dyadic effects of depressive symptoms on medical morbidity in middle-aged and older couples. Health Psychology 37(1):28-36.
Toni C Antonucci, Kristine J Ajrouch, Noah J Webster, Kira S Birditt. 2018. Social Networks and Forgiveness: The Role of Trust and Efficacy. Research in Human Development 15(1):3-20.
Kira S Birditt, Hartnett, Caroline Sten, Fingerman, Karen L. 2018. Without the ties that bind: U.S. young adults who lack active parental relationships. Advances in Life Course Research 35:103-113.
Kira S Birditt, Heid, Allison R, Kim, Kyungmin , Zarit, Steven H, Fingerman, Karen L. 2018. Relationship tensions and mood: Adult children's daily experience of aging parents' stubbornness. Personal Relationships 25(1):87-102.
Kira S Birditt, Monin, Joan K, Doyle, Margaret , Van Ness, Peter H, Schulz, Richard , Marottoli, Richard A, Feeney, Brooke C, Kershaw, Trace . 2018. Longitudinal Associations between Cognitive Functioning and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adult Spouses in the Cardiovascular Health Study. The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 26(10):1036-1046.
Kira S Birditt, Bangerter, Lauren R, Liu, Yin , Kim, Kyungmin , Zarit, Steven H, Fingerman, Karen L. 2017. Everyday Support to Aging Parents: Links to Middle-Aged Children's Diurnal Cortisol and Daily Mood. The Gerontologist
Kira S Birditt, Manalel, Jasmine A, Kim, Kyungmin , Zarit, Steven H, Fingerman, Karen L. 2017. Daily Interactions With Aging Parents and Adult Children: Associations With Negative Affect and Diurnal Cortisol. Journal of Family Psychology 31(6):699-709.
Kira S Birditt, Fiori, Katherine L, Rauer, Amy J, Marini, Christina M, Jager, Justin , Brown, Edna , Orbuch, Terri L. 2017. "I Love You, Not Your Friends" Links between partners' early disapproval of friends and divorce across 16 years. Journal of Social and Personal 35(9):1230-1250.
Kira S Birditt, Polenick, Courtney Allyn, Brooks, Jessica M. 2017. Own and partner pain intensity in older couples: longitudinal effects on depressive symptoms. Pain 158(8):1546–1553.
Kira S Birditt, Polenick, Courtney Allyn, Zarit, Steven H, Bangerter, Lauren R, Seidel, Amber J, Fingerman, Karen L. 2017. Intergenerational Support and Marital Satisfaction: Implications of Beliefs About Helping Aging Parents. Journal of Marriage and Family 79(1):131-146.
Kira S Birditt, Toni C Antonucci, Wan, Wylie H, Orbuch, Terri L. 2017. The Development of Marital Tension: Implications for Divorce Among Married Couples. Developmental psychology 53(10):1995-2006.
Kira S Birditt, G¸rmen, M Selenga, Huff, Scott C, Brown, Edna , Orbuch, Terri L. 2017. Divorced Yet Still Together: Ongoing Personal Relationship and Coparenting Among Divorced Parents. Journal of Divorce & Remarriage 58(8):645-660.
Toni C Antonucci, Kira S Birditt, Jacqui Smith, Wan, Wylie H. 2017. Work-Hour Trajectories and Depressive Symptoms Among Midlife and Older Married Couples. Work, Aging and Retirement 4(1):108-122.
Kira S Birditt, Kim, Kyungmin , Zarit, Steven H, Fingerman, Karen L, Loving, Timothy J. 2016. Daily interactions in the parent-adult child tie: Links between children's problems and parents' diurnal cortisol rhythms. Psychoneuroendocrinology 63(January):208-216.
Kira S Birditt, Fingerman, Karen L, Kim, Kyungmin , Zarit, Steven H. 2016. The Ties That Bind: Midlife Parents' Daily Experiences With Grown Children. Journal of Marriage and Family 78(2):431-450.
Kira S Birditt, Fingerman, Karen L, Kim, Kyungmin , Tennant, Patrick S, Zarit, Steven H. 2016. Intergenerational Support in a Daily Context. The Gerontologist 56(5):896-908.
Kira S Birditt, Lee, Jeong Eun, Zarit, Steven H, Rovine, Michael J, Fingerman, Karen L. 2016. The Interdependence of Relationships with Adult Children and Spouses. Family Relations 65(2):342-353.
Kira S Birditt, Toni C Antonucci, Tighe, Lauren A. 2016. Intergenerational Ambivalence in Adolescence and Early Adulthood: Implications for Depressive Symptoms Over Time. Developmental psychology 52(5):824-834.
Kira S Birditt, Fingerman, Karen L, Huo, Meng , Kim, Kyungmin . 2016. Coresident and Noncoresident Emerging Adults' Daily Experiences With Parents. Emerging Adulthood 5(5):337-350.
Kira S Birditt, Fiori, Katherine L, Rauer, Amy J, Brown, Edna , Jager, Justin , Orbuch, Terri L. 2016. Social Network Typologies of Black and White Married Couples in Midlife. Journal of Marriage and Family 79(2):571-589.
Kira S Birditt, Nicky J. Newton, James A. Cranford, Lindsay H Ryan. 2016. Stress and Negative Relationship Quality among Older Couples: Implications for Blood Pressure. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences 71(5):775-785.
Kira S Birditt, Bangerter, Lauren R, Kim, Kyungmin , Zarit, Steven H, Fingerman, Karen L. 2015. Perceptions of Giving Support and Depressive Symptoms in Late Life. The Gerontologist 22(2):770-779.
Kira S Birditt, Toni C Antonucci, Hartnett, Caroline Sten, Fingerman, Karen L, Zarit, Steven H. 2015. Extending the Intergenerational Stake Hypothesis: Evidence of an Intra-individual Stake and Implications for Well-being. Journal of Marriage and Family 77(4):877-888.
Kira S Birditt, Newton, Nicky J. 2015. Theories of Social Support and Aging. Encyclopedia of Geropsychology
Kira S Birditt, Lindsay H Ryan, Newton, Nicky J, Cranford, James A. 2015. Stress and Negative Relationship Quality among Older Couples: Implications for Blood Pressure. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences 71(5):775–785.
Kira S Birditt, Cheng, Yen-Pi , Zarit, Steven H, Fingerman, Karen L. 2015. Young Adults' Provision of Support to Middle-Aged Parents. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences 70(3):407-416.
Kira S Birditt, Fingerman, Karen L, Kim, Kyungmin , Davis, Eden M, Furstenberg, Frank F, Zarit, Steven H. 2015. "I'll Give You the World": Socioeconomic Differences in Parental Support of Adult Children. Journal of Marriage and Family 77(4):844-865.
Kira S Birditt, Kim, Kyungmin , Fingerman, Karen L, Zarit, Steven H. 2015. Capturing Between-and Within-Family Differences in Parental Support to Adult Children: A Typology Approach. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences 71(6):1034–1045.
Kira S Birditt, Polenick, Courtney Allyn, Seidel, A J, Fingerman, K , Zarit, S H. 2015. Filial Obligation and Marital Satisfaction: Dyadic Associations in Middle-Aged Couples. Gerontologist 57(3):417–428.
Toni C Antonucci, Kristine J Ajrouch, Kira S Birditt. 2014. The Convoy Model: Explaining Social Relations From a Multidisciplinary Perspective. The Gerontologist 54(1):82-92.
Kira S Birditt, Nevitt, Michael R, Almeida, David M. 2014. Daily interpersonal coping strategies Implications for self-reported well-being and cortisol. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships 32(5):687-705.
Kira S Birditt, Kim, Kyungmin , Zarit, Steven H, Fingerman, Karen L. 2014. Discrepancy in reports of support exchanges between parents and adult offspring: Within- and between-family differences. Journal of Family Psychology 28(2):168-179.
Kira S Birditt, Sachs-Ericsson, Natalie , Selby, Edward A, Hames, Jennifer L, Joiner, Thomas E, Fingerman, Karen L, Zarit, Steven H, Hilt, Lori M. 2014. Transmission of parental neuroticism to offspring's depression: The mediating role of rumination. Personality and Mental Health 8(4):306-319.
Kira S Birditt. 2013. Age Differences in Emotional Reactions to Daily Negative Social Encounters. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences 69(4):557-566.
Kira S Birditt, Fingerman, K L, Cheng, Y P, Cichy, K E, Zarit, S . 2013. Help With "Strings Attached": Offspring Perceptions That Middle-Aged Parents Offer Conflicted Support.. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences 68(6):902-911.
Kira S Birditt, Fingerman, K L, Sechrist, J . 2013. Changing Views on Intergenerational Ties. Gerontology 59(1):64-70.
Kira S Birditt, Hartnett, Caroline Sten, Furstenberg, Frank F, Fingerman, Karen L. 2013. Parental Support During Young Adulthood: Why Does Assistance Decline With Age?. Journal of Family Issues 34(7):975-1007.
Kira S Birditt, Jensen, Alexander C, Whiteman, Shawn D, Fingerman, Karen L. 2013. "Life Still Isn't Fair": Parental Differential Treatment of Young Adult Siblings. Journal of Marriage and the Family 75(2):438-452.
Kira S Birditt, Kim, Kyungmin , Eggebeen, David J, Zarit, Steven H, Fingerman, Karen L. 2013. Agreement Between Aging Parent's Bequest Intention and Middle-Aged Child's Inheritance Expectation. The Gerontologist 53(6):1020-1031.
Kira S Birditt, Toni C Antonucci. 2013. Till Death Do Us Part: Contexts and Implications of Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage Across Adulthood. Research in Human Development 9(2):103-105.
Kira S Birditt, Toni C Antonucci. 2012. Enacted support during stressful life events in middle and older adulthood: An examination of the interpersonal context.. Psychology and aging 27(3):728-741.
Kira S Birditt, Toni C Antonucci. 2012. Till Death Do Us Part: Contexts and Implications of Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage Across Adulthood. Research in Human Development 9(2):103-105.
Kira S Birditt, Hope, Susannah , Brown, Edna E, Orbuch, Terri L. 2012. Developmental Trajectories of Marital Happiness Over 16 Years. Research in Human Development 9(2):126-144.
Kira S Birditt, Newton, Nicky , Hope, Susannah . 2012. Implications of Marital/Partner Relationship Quality and Perceived Stress for Blood Pressure Among Older Adults. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences 69(2):188-198.
Kira S Birditt, Tighe, L A, Fingerman, K L, Zarit, S H. 2012. Intergenerational relationship quality across three generations. The journals of gerontology Series B: Psychological sciences and social sciences 67(5):627-638.
Kira S Birditt, Wardjiman, E . 2012. Intergenerational relationships and aging. The Wiley-Blackwell handbook of adulthood and aging
Kira S Birditt, Brown, Edna E, Huff, Scott C, Edwards, Lindsay L. 2012. Marital Dissolution and Psychological Well-Being: Race and Gender Differences in the Moderating Role of Marital Relationship Quality. Research in Human Development 9(2):145-164.
Kira S Birditt, Fingerman, K L, Cheng, Y P, Tighe, L , Zarit, S . 2012. Parent-child relationships in young adulthood. Early adulthood in a family context
Kira S Birditt, Fingerman, Karen L, Cheng, Yen-Pi , Zarit, Steven . 2012. Only as Happy as the Least Happy Child: Multiple Grown Children's Problems and Successes and Middle-aged Parents' Well-being. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences 67B(2):184-193.
Kira S Birditt, Fingerman, Karen L, Cheng, Yen-Pi , Wesselmann, Eric D, Zarit, Steven , Furstenberg, Frank . 2012. Helicopter Parents and Landing Pad Kids: Intense Parental Support of Grown Children. Journal of Marriage and the Family 74(4):880-896.
Kira S Birditt, Lee, J E, Zarit, S H, Rovine, M J, Fingerman, K L. 2012. Middle-Aged Couples' Exchanges of Support with Aging Parents: Patterns and Association with Marital Satisfaction. Gerontology 58(1):88-96.
Toni C Antonucci, Kira S Birditt, Kristine J Ajrouch. 2011. Convoys of social relations: Past, present, and future. Handbook of lifespan development
Toni C Antonucci, Kira S Birditt, Sherman, Carey, Trinh, Sarah . 2011. Stability and change in the intergenerational family: a convoy approach. Ageing & Society 31(7):1084-1106.
Kira S Birditt, Cichy, Kelly E, Almeida, David . 2011. Age Differences in Exposure and Reactivity to Interpersonal Tensions among Black and White Individuals across Adulthood. Race and Social Problems 3(3):225-239.
Kira S Birditt, Fingerman, Karen L, Pitzer, L , Chan, W , Franks, M , Zarit, S . 2011. Who Gets What and Why? Help Middle-Aged Adults Provide to Parents and Grown Children. The Journals of Gerontology 66B(1):87-98.
Kira S Birditt, Fingerman, Karen L, VanderDrift, L , Dotterer, A , Zarit, S . 2011. Support to Aging Parents and Grown Children in Black and White Families. The Gerontologist 51(4):441-452.
Kira S Birditt, Kim, Kyungmin , Zarit, Steven H, Eggebeen, David J, Fingerman, Karen L. 2011. Discrepancies in Reports of Support Exchanges Between Aging Parents and Their Middle-Aged Children. The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences 66B(5):527-537.
Toni C Antonucci, Kira S Birditt, Kristine J Ajrouch. 2011. Convoys of social relations: Past, present, and future. Handbook of lifespan development
Toni C Antonucci, Kira S Birditt, Noah J Webster. 2010. Social Relations and Mortality. Journal of Health Psychology 15(5):649-659.
Toni C Antonucci, Kira S Birditt, Fiori, Katherine L, Jackey, L . 2010. Convoys of social relations: Integrating life-span and life-course perspectives. Handbook of life-span development
Kira S Birditt, Brown, E , Orbuch, Terri L, McIlvane, J . 2010. Marital Conflict Behaviors and Implications for Divorce Over 16 Years. Journal of Marriage and the Family 72(5):1188-1204.
Kira S Birditt, Fingerman, Karen L, Zarit, S . 2010. Adult Children's Problems and Successes: Implications for Intergenerational Ambivalence. The Journals of Gerontology 65B(2):145-153.
Toni C Antonucci, Kira S Birditt, Akiyama, Hiroko S.. 2009. Convoys of social relations: An interdisciplinary approach. Handbook of Theories of Aging
Kira S Birditt. 2009. Ambivalence. Encyclopedia of human relationships
Kira S Birditt. 2009. Social support, later life. Encyclopedia of the life course and human development :391.
Kira S Birditt, Toni C Antonucci, Jackey, L . 2009. Longitudinal Patterns of Negative Relationship Quality Across Adulthood. The Journals of Gerontology 64B(1):55-64.
Kira S Birditt, Miller, L , Fingerman, Karen L, Lefkowitz, E . 2009. Tensions in the Parent and Adult Child Relationship: Links to Solidarity and Ambivalence. Psychology and aging 24(2):287-295.
Kira S Birditt, Rott, L , Fingerman, Karen L. 2009. "If You Can't Say Something Nice, Don't Say Anything at All": Coping with Interpersonal Tensions in the Parent-Child Relationship During Adulthood. Journal of Family Psychology 23(6):769-778.
Kira S Birditt, Fingerman, Karen L, Miller, L , Zarit, S . 2009. Giving to the Good and the Needy: Parental Support of Grown Children. Journal of Marriage and the Family 71(5):1220-1233.
Kira S Birditt, Toni C Antonucci. 2008. Life sustaining irritations? Relationship quality and mortality in the context of chronic illness. Social Science & Medicine 67(8):1291-1299.
Kira S Birditt, Fingerman, Karen L, Lefkowitz, Eva , Kamp Dush, Claire . 2008. Parents Perceived as Peers: Filial Maturity in Adulthood. Journal of Adult Development 15(1):1-12.
Kira S Birditt, Fingerman, Karen L, Pitzer, L , Lefkowitz, E , Mroczek, D . 2008. Ambivalent Relationship Qualities Between Adults and Their Parents: Implications for the Well-Being of Both Parties. The Journals of Gerontology 63B(6):P362.
Kira S Birditt, Toni C Antonucci. 2007. Relationship Quality Profiles and Well-Being Among Married Adults. Journal of family psychology 21(4):595-604.
Toni C Antonucci, Kristine J Ajrouch, Kira S Birditt. 2006. Social Relations in the Third Age: Assessing Strengths and Challenges Using the Convoy Model. Annual Review of Gerontology & Geriatrics 26:193-210.
Kira S Birditt, Fingerman, Karen L. 2005. Do We Get Better at Picking Our Battles? Age Group Differences in Descriptions of Behavioral Reactions to Interpersonal Tensions. Journals of Gerontology 60B(3):P121.
Kira S Birditt, Fingerman, Karen L, Almeida, David M. 2005. Age Differences in Exposure and Reactions to Interpersonal Tensions: A Daily Diary Study. Psychology and aging 20(2):330.
Toni C Antonucci, Kira S Birditt, Akiyama, Hiroko S.. 2005. Intergenerational exchange in the United States and Japan. Focus on intergenerational relations across time and place
Toni C Antonucci, Kira S Birditt, Akiyama, Hiroko S.. 2004. Intergenerational Exchange in the United States and Japan. Annual Review of Gerontology & Geriatrics 24:224-248.
Kira S Birditt, Fingerman, Karen L, Hay, Elizabeth L. 2004. The Best of Ties, the Worst of Ties: Close, Problematic, and Ambivalent Social Relationships. Journal of Marriage and the Family 66(3):792.
Toni C Antonucci, Kira S Birditt, Akiyama, Hiroko S.. 2004. Intergenerational exchange in the United States and Japan. IAnnual Review of Gerontology and Geriatrics vol. 24: Intergenerational Relations across Time and Place
Kira S Birditt, Fingerman, Karen L. 2003. Age and gender differences in adults' descriptions of emotional reactions to interpersonal problems. Journals of Gerontology 58B(4):P237.
Kira S Birditt, Fingerman, Karen L. 2003. Do age differences in close and problematic family ties reflect the pool of available relatives?. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B 58B(2):P80.
Kira S Birditt, Fingerman, Karen L, Nussbaum, J . 2003. Keeping all five balls in the air: Juggling family communication at midlife. Handbook of family communication