Changes in Perceived Filial Obligation Norms Among Coresident Family Caregivers in Japan

Abstract

Purpose of the Study: Japan introduced a nationwide long-term care insurance (LTCI) system in 2000, making long-term care (LTC) a right for older adults regardless of income and family availability. To shed light on its implications for family caregiving, we investigated perceived filial obligation norms among coresident primary family caregivers before and after the policy change. Design and Methods: Descriptive and multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine changes in perceived filial obligation norms and its subdimensions (financial, physical, and emotional support), using 2-wave panel survey data of coresident primary family caregivers (N = 611) in 1 city. The baseline survey was conducted in 1999, and a follow-up survey 2 years later. Results: On average, perceived filial obligation norms declined (p < .05). Daughters-in-law had the most significant declines (global and physical: p < .01, emotional: p < .05) among family caregivers. In particular, physical support, which Japan’s LTC reform targeted, declined significantly among daughters and daughters-in-law (p < .01). Multiple regression analysis indicated that daughters-in-law had significantly lower perceived filial obligation norms after the policy introduction than sons and daughters (p < .01 and p < .05, respectively), controlling for the baseline filial obligation and situational factors. Implications: Our research indicates declining roles of daughters-in-law in elder care during Japan’s LTCI system implementation period. Further international efforts are needed to design and implement longitudinal studies that help promote understanding of the interplay among national LTC policies, social changes, and caregiving norms and behaviors.

The “Costs” of informal care: an analysis of the impact of elderly care on caregivers’ subjective well-being in Japan

“…However, such traditional norms have been changing in Japan in recent years (e.g., Tsutsui, Muramatsu and Higashino, 2014), and indeed, Hanaoka and Norton (2008) find that the role of daughters-in-law in parental care is becoming less important than that of unmarried children. The findings of this study adds another dimension to these existing studies in that a more adverse effect of informal parental care is found on the subjective well-being of unmarried caregivers than that of married caregivers.…”

“…Arai and Ueda (2003) similarly find that the LTCI system has helped change caregivers' attitudes and that more caregivers have come to believe that society must look after the elderly since the launch of the LTCI system. Further, Tsutsui, Muramatsu and Higashino (2014) show that declines in filial obligation were more prominent in the dimension of physical support, which the LTCI covers, than in financial and emotional support dimensions.…”

“…Indeed, Tsutsui, Muramatsu and Higashino (2014) find that perceived filial obligation norms have generally declined since the launch of the LTCI system in 2000, and the decline was greatest among daughters-in-law in comparison with other family members. Arai and Ueda (2003) similarly find that the LTCI system has helped change caregivers' attitudes and that more caregivers have come to believe that society must look after the elderly since the launch of the LTCI system.…”

Intention to Use Long-Term Care Facilities: Differences beween Korean Pre-elderly and Korean Baby-boomers

“…KBB with fewer expectations for their children to take care of themselves may intend to go to LTC facilities as well as have better relationship with their adult children. Recent literature often found the declined norm of filial obligation among adult children in Asian countries (Tsutsui et al 2014). …”

Daughters’ Generation: The Importance of Having Daughters Living Nearby for Older Korean Immigrants’ Mental Health

“…The results indicate the increasing importance of a new caregiving role for adult daughters to older Korean immigrant parents and a shift from dutybased traditional filial piety to need-based practical support (Eun, 2003;Hashimoto & Ikels, 2005;Ikels, 2004;Jeon et al, 2013;Koyano, 2003;Lee & Jin, 2013;Lee & Yoon, 2011;Mao & Chi, 2011;Tsutsui et al, 2014). In addition, relationships with adult daughters, in general, may be qualitatively different in ways that benefit parents, emphasizing greater emotional closeness and contact, compared to the more duty-based and possibly more distant or formal relationships with sons and their wives (Pillemer & Suitor, 2014).…”