The Association Between Financial Support of Adult Children to Their Parents and Informal Care Provision in China and Its Differences in Household Registration, Residence Arrangement and Community-based Care Services: 2008 ~ 2018

Background: The changes in demographic and family structures have weakened the traditional norms of filial piety and intergenerational relationships dramatically. This study aims to examine the dynamic association between financial support of adult children to their parents and informal care provision in China and its differences in household registration, residence arrangement and community-based care services.

Methods: Data was derived from the 2008-2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), which is a longitudinal survey of a nationally representative sample of individuals aged 60 and over. Random effects model was used to assess the association between financial support and informal care provision of adult children to their parents.

Results: It was found that financial support showed an upward trend while informal care provision showed a download trend from 2008 to 2018. The result indicated a significant and negative association between financial support and informal care provision of adult children to their parents (B = -0.500, 95% confidence interval (CI) = -0.761 to -0.239). And the association was significant among elderly people who were from urban areas (B = -0.628, 95% CI = -0.970 to -0.287), co-resided with adult children (B = -0.596, 95% CI = -0.939 to -0.253), and had community-based services (B = -0.659, 95% CI = -1.004 to -0.315).

Conclusion: Financial support was negatively associated with informal care provision of adult children to their parents in China, and the association has differences in household registration, residence arrangement and community-based care services. It is suggested that policymakers should prioritize planning interventions for elderly care services and establish a family caregiver support system.