Family Ties and Living Arrangements: Understanding the Motivations for Intergenerational Co-Residence in Indonesia

Lathifah Hanum, The University of Queensland
Peter Newcombe, The University of Queensland
Fivi Nurwianti, Universitas Indonesia
Theresa Scott, The University of Queensland

In Indonesia, 64.37% of aging parents live in multigenerational households, encouraged by recommendations from the Ministry of Social Affairs. However, the Ministry of Health reports that many older adults suffer from non-communicable diseases, with 39.6% experiencing emotional disturbances and 23.4% showing symptoms of depression. This study explores the factors influencing decisions to engage in intergenerational co-residence. Using the vignette method, in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 older adults and 30 adult children across Indonesia. The findings reveal four key factors influencing older adults' decisions to live with their children: kinship systems, health conditions, willingness to support their children, and financial circumstances. For adult children, the decision is shaped by kinship systems, marital status, and the quality of their relationship with their parents. Additionally, other factors interact with these determinants in influencing both generations’ decision to engage in intergenerational co-residence, such as the number of family members and parents’ ability to adapt to the new environment. Understanding these factors can help shape targeted interventions that strengthen family relationships, improve financial planning, and address health concerns. Additionally, culturally sensitive family care policies that align with Indonesia's kinship values are essential to improving the well-being of multigenerational households.

Keywords: Older Adults and Intergenerational Relations, Qualitative data/methods/approaches, Population Ageing

See extended abstract.