Intergenerational transfers and living arrangements of older people in rural China: consequences for psychological well-being.
OBJECTIVE
The migration of working-age adults from rural to urban China has altered traditional patterns of living arrangements and intergenerational support among elderly persons who remain in rural regions. This investigation examined how household composition and support exchanges with adult children influenced the psychological well-being of older parents in rural China.


METHODS
Data derived from a 2001 survey of 1,561 parents aged 60 and older living in rural Anhui Province, China. We used multiple regression in order to estimate the effects of multigenerational living arrangements and intergenerational transfers of financial, instrumental, and emotional support on depression and life satisfaction in older parents.


RESULTS
Older parents living in three-generation households or with grandchildren in skipped-generation households had better psychological well-being than those living in single-generation households. Receiving greater remittances from adult children increased well-being and explained why living with grandchildren was beneficial. Stronger emotional cohesion with children also improved well-being.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that traditional family arrangements are beneficial in rural Chinese society as they represent the fulfillment of a cultural ideal. We discuss implications in the context of the corporate Chinese family, characterized by mutual aid and interdependence across generations, and its adaptation to social change.
Silverstein
Merril
M
Andrus Gerontology Center, University of Southern California, 3715 McClintock Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0191, USA. merrils@usc.edu
Cong
Zhen
Z
Li
Shuzhuo
S
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D032721:Adult Children / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002681:China; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016901:Intergenerational Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011157:Population Dynamics; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012922:Social Change; D012944:Social Support; D012945:Social Values