Association between bidirectional intergenerational support and successful aging in China: Evidence from CHARLS 2018

• Published in: Geriatric nursing (New York) Vol. 49; pp. 81 - 88
• Main Authors: Zhao, Yu, Tang, Li, Zeng, Qing-wei, Bu, Fan, Zhan, Na-ni, Wang, Zi-lin, Deng, Xiao-hui, Lyu, Qi-yuan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.01.2023
• Subjects: Aged; Aging; CHARLS; China; Humans; Intergenerational Relations; Intergenerational support; Longitudinal Studies; Older adults; Retirement; Successful aging; Surveys and Questionnaires; China; Intergenerational support; Successful aging; Older adults; CHARLS
• ISSN: 0197-4572; 1528-3984
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2022.11.010

•There was an association between different intergenerational financial, caring, and emotional support patterns and elements of successful aging.•Older adults with under-benefited financial support patterns were less likely to experience depression and disability than those with reciprocal financial support patterns.•Older adults with an over-benefited care support pattern were more likely to experience disability and depression.•Older adults with inadequate bidirectional emotional communication were less likely to experience disability. Aging has gradually accelerated in China, and achieving successful aging of older adults has become a public health concern. Intergenerational support is crucial for Chinese older adults in later life due to the culture of filial piety. However, the association between successful aging and intergenerational support remains poorly understood in China. This study aimed to examine the association between patterns of intergenerational support and successful aging of older adults in China. The present study is a secondary analysis of data obtained from the follow-up survey of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study 2018. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regressions. Bidirectional intergenerational support was associated with successful aging in the participants. In addition, there was an association between different intergenerational financial, caring, and emotional support patterns and elements of successful aging.