Effect of intergenerational and intragenerational support on perceived health of older adults: a population-based analysis in rural China.

Background: The family, together with the individual and society, and the state and market are the three pillars of well-being and social security over the life course, with responsibility for the health of older adults.

Objective: The aim of current study was to explore the effect of intergenerational and intragenerational support on perceived health of older adults.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey with 64.36% (1318/2048) response rate was conducted door to door in rural China with a sample of 1318 individuals aged 60 years and older. There were three sets of independent variables: intergenerational support from children as well as intragenerational spousal support and intragenerational sibling support, sociodemographic variables, and behaviour variables. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyse the influence of family member support on physical and psychological health.

Results: After adjusting for potential confounding variables (sociodemographic variables and behaviour variables), it was observed that intergenerational support from children had a significant effect on the self-rated physical health and psychological health of older adults [odds ratios (OR) = 1.48, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10-2.00; OR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.36-2.44, respectively]. However, intragenerational support from spouse and siblings was not significant.

Conclusion: The importance of intergenerational support from children would suggest that family practice and health-related policy of older adults may need to be extended to their children. With the rapid development of global population movements, family practices need to pay attention to the changes of family support among migrant families.