The intergenerational support and psychological well-being of the elderly in mainland of China

Abstract

China is experiencing an accelerating aging process and a social transition period in recent decades. However, Families are playing highly weakened roles in aging support than ever before. Employing data of Sampling survey of the aged population in rural/urban China and information from national sampling population surveys, this chapter is intended to demonstrate the financial, instrumental and emotional support of the elderly in mainland. Former studies about effects of intergenerational support on psychological well-being of the elderly have been reviewed and discussed. Gender difference, rural-urban diversity as well as Impact of filial piety and changes of the intergenerational support over time were analyzed. This chapter pointed out that, Intergenerational support is most important social support of the elderly, emotional support as well as appropriate instrumental and financial support have significant positive effect on the psychological well-being of the elderly. Even though Formal social support is playing more important role for the elderly in modern China, intergenerational support is vital to the Chinese elderly. Significant gender difference can be identified in the intergenerational support as well as its effects on psychological well-being.