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Does providing tangible support to children enhance life satisfaction of older Chinese women? The role of perceived filial piety of children
- Authors:
- GUO Man, CHI Iris
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 19(4), October 2010, pp.317-330.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Many studies examining social support and well being among older adults focus on the support they receive. However aging parents, especially mothers, often provide their children with significant amounts of tangible support. This includes care of grandchildren, help with household chores and direct financial aid. Using data from a survey conducted by the China Research Centre on Aging carried out in 2000, this study examined whether providing tangible support to children enhances the life satisfaction of older Chinese women (n = 9,423, mean age 70 years, 57% unmarried), and whether perceptions of filial piety affect such relationships. Overall mothers who were married, had a sense of economic security and rated their children’s filial piety positively had higher levels of satisfaction than those who were widowed, did not feel financially secure and felt their children were not very devoted. Those caring for grandchildren were most likely to report higher life satisfaction and those providing monetary support the least. However the relationship between providing support and life satisfaction was conditioned by mothers' perceptions of children's filial piety. These findings emphasise the importance of perceived filial piety for the well-being of older Chinese women.