DOES FAMILY SIZE PREDICT WHETHER AN OLDER ADULT LIVES WITH OR PROXIMATE TO AN ADULT CHILD IN THE ASIA-PACIFIC REGION?

Abstract

This study examines the probability that an older adult—from one of six Asian societies sampled—lives in the same household or proximate to an adult child and how this probability fluctuates by the number of children, rural/urban residence, and several other covariates. Proximate residence is defined as living either with or near a child. Results show positive and linear associations between number of children and proximate residence, that is, each additional child increases the chances of proximate residence in a relatively consistent way. But, results with co-residence vary more across countries. Virtually no association with co-residence is found in China; each additional child increases the probability of co-residence in Singapore; and there is a positive but non-linear association in other countries. In spite of the different findings, rates of co-residence and proximate residence remain high, particularly in the rural areas. The findings indicate the importance of considering both near and co-residence when examining proximate living. Conclusions regarding a potential decline in support due to changes in living arrangements are somewhat ambiguous—more children increase chances of living proximate to an adult child, but probabilities of living proximate to a child remain high overall, with the possible exception of those with only one living child.

Keywords:

• ageing
• Asia
• co-residence
• elderly
• family
• living arrangements
• rural
• social change
• urban

Acknowledgements

This research is partially supported by a seed grant from the Institute of Public and International Affairs at the University of Utah and partially by a grant from the National Institutes of Health/ National Institute on Aging, Grant Number 1R03-AG025729-01A1. The authors wish to acknowledge the kind assistance and support of Napaporn Chayovan of Chulalongkorn University with respect to use and interpretation of the Survey of the Welfare of the Elderly in Thailand data; and Josefina Natividad and Grace Cruz of the University of the Philippines with respect to use and interpretation of the Philippine Survey of the Near Elderly and the Elderly.