Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty-four adult children who work in an academic setting in the southern United States. Participants completed in-depth, audio taped interviews. Open-ended questions regarding many aspects of caregiving (responsibilities, family support, emotional issues, and financial management) allowed the respondents to express thoughts about their personal experiences. All interviews were transcribed and coded, and qsr NUD*IST software was used for data analysis.

Results: The findings of the study revealed that there were common themes across many of the respondents’ experiences. A sense of obligation appeared to be linked to the adult child's experience with their parents earlier in life. The way caregiving duties were delegated across sibling groups provided an interesting view on the primary caregiver's sense of obligation. Issues of spirituality and religiosity contributing to expressed feelings of obligation were identified in many experiences.

Implications for Practice:  As relationships of adult children and their aging parents change, one area of study is individual and societal concepts of obligations, motivations and responsibility in caregiving. Social workers can enhance their practice with older adults and families by understanding the role of filial obligation in caregiving.