The Typologies of Intergenerational Relations among Older Adults in China and Their Associations with Physical and Mental Health: A Latent Class Analysis

Huan Wang, Hohai university
Rao Yuxuan, Insititute of Population Research, Hohai University

Although many studies have assessed the associations between different dimensions of intergenerational relations and health among older adults, little is known about how the overall quality of intergenerational relations relates to health outcomes among older adults in China. We aim to identify the typologies of intergenerational relations in China and examine their associations with physical and mental health. Data are from wave 3 of the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (N = 11418). The typologies of intergenerational relations for parent-child paired samples (N = 24725) were classified using latent class analysis. We analyzed class differences in health outcomes using the BCH procedure and then examined the associations of intergenerational relation types with health outcomes using OLS regressions. Five latent classes of intergenerational relations were identified in the final model: the material-oriented detached (6%), the distant supportive ties (32%), the nearby ascending ties (17%), tight-knit (24%), and the distant ascending ties (20%). The material-oriented detached class demonstrated poorer physical and mental health. The OLS regression results further revealed that positive intergenerational relationships are beneficial for improving the health conditions of older adults.

Keywords: Older Adults and Intergenerational Relations, Families, Unions and Households

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