Expectations of Filial Obligation and Their Impact on Preferences for Future Living Arrangements of Middle-Aged and Older Asian Indian Immigrants

Abstract

Filial obligation, described as culturally-defined rights and duties that prescribe how family members are expected to care for and provide support to each other, is an important variable that influences older immigrants' preferences for living and care arrangements. This exploratory study examined variables associated with expectations of filial obligation among middle-aged and older, Asian Indian, first generation immigrants and explored the relationship between variations in expectations of filial obligation and expressed preferences for future living arrangements. Data were collected through telephone surveys of 226 English-speaking immigrants in Atlanta, GA. Although no significant relationships were observed between filial obligation expectations and length of residence in the U.S., respondents indicated a variety of preferred future living arrangements. Contrary to current living arrangement patterns found among older immigrants, very few respondents preferred to move in with their children. The most popular preference was to "move closer to children," followed by "moving to a retirement community" with the majority preferring a retirement community geared to Asian Indians. Other preferences included "not moving" and "returning to India." Variations in expectations of filial obligation, length of residence in the U.S., and self-rated health were significantly associated with these preferences. Implications are discussed for building capacity within ethnic communities to address living arrangement preferences and their repercussions for caregiving in ethnic families and in communities.

What determines the preference for future living arrangements of middle-aged and older people in urban China?

“…This finding was consistent with those of previous studies. A study among middle-aged and older Asian Indian immigrants reported that the most popular preference for future living arrangements was to “move closer to children” [15]. Bian et al [30] found a similar co-residence pattern “proximity to parents” in urban China.…”

“…The number of surviving children (classified into 3 categories: zero, one and two or more) has been extensively used in similar studies [16, 19]. The availability of children, based on a previous study [15], was classified into 3 categories: daughters only, sons only, and daughters and sons. Self-rated health was categorized as poor, fair, good, and very good/excellent.…”

“…Diwan, Lee and Sen found that expectations of filial obligation, the length of residence in the U.S., and self-rated health are significantly associated with living arrangement preferences in Asian Indian immigrants [15]. Silverstein and Angelelli argue that elderly parents who expect to move closer to adult children tend to be older and female and to have at least one child who is better-off than they are; additionally, parents are more likely to expect to move closer to a daughter than to a son [16].…”

Aging, Family, and Preferences for Care among Older Jews and Arabs

“…In recent decades, researchers have started to explore elderly preferences for future living arrangements and care and the factors correlated with these preferences (e.g., Diwan et al 2011;Harrefors et al 2009;Pinquart and Sorensen 2002;Roberto et al 2001). The findings varied from one society to another.…”

Influence of Living Arrangements on the Management and Control of Hypertension: A Mixed-Methods Study of Korean American Elderly

“…For example, in a sample of Hispanic immigrants in the U.S., Kao and Travis [13] found that being older, female, and less acculturated was related to increased expectations of filial obligation. In contrast, a study of Asian Indian immigrants found no correlations between filial obligation expectations and education or length of residence in the US [14]. …”