Beyond Son Preference: Perceived Intergenerational Relations, Living Arrangements and Parents’ Loneliness and Happiness in Urban China

• In Event: Asia and Asian American Section Roundtables Session
  In Refereed Roundtable (90 minute): Table 1: Asia and Asian American Section Roundtables Session - Health, Organizations

Abstract

Intergenerational relationships are central to the aging experience because they shape older adults’ social interactions, emotional well-being, and overall quality of life (Silverstein & Bengtson, 1994). From a life-course perspective, linked lives within families play a crucial role in shaping well-being in later life. Although prior research has established the importance of intergenerational ties, most studies rely on indicators such as financial, emotional, and instrumental transfers, overlooking older adults’ subjective perceptions of these relationships (Bian et al., 1998; Xie & Zhu, 2009). Furthermore, perceived intergenerational relationships (PIR) are inherently multidimensional, reflecting not only positive and negative feelings but also the simultaneous presence of affection and tension, conceptualized as intergenerational ambivalence (Lüscher & Pillemer, 1998). This complexity calls for analytical approaches that go beyond binary classifications and identify underlying patterns of intergenerational relationship quality (Silverstein et al., 2010).

Authors

• Ning Wang, East China University of Science and Technology

• Bin Lian, East China University of Science and Technology