Living Arrangements and Intergenerational Support in Puerto Rico: Are Fathers Disadvantaged?

Virtual Library of Scientific Articles
Description:

Examine how intergenerational support varies according to parents' living conditions and whether there are gender differences in the support received in Puerto Rico. The data come from the Puerto Rico Health Conditions and Older Persons Project 2006-2007, a longitudinal study representative of adults aged 60 and over in Puerto Rico (n = 2,288). The association between the parents' type of living together (living alone, with a spouse/partner only, with children) and the receipt of functional support (help with errands, housework and transportation) and health (assistance during illness) by children, as well as the moderation exercised by the parents' gender in this relationship, was evaluated. Intergenerational co-residence was associated with greater chances of receiving functional and health support compared to those living alone. Women were more likely than men to receive both types of support. The gender of parents significantly moderated the relationship between living together and receiving health support: men who lived with their partners were less likely to receive healthcare from their children than women in similar situations. These associations were maintained by restricting the analysis to people with disabilities. Our findings indicate that parents' reception of support from children depends both on their living condition and on their gender, even when their functional health is compromised. These results are discussed based on the heterogeneous influence of living conditions on the support needs of older adults, and suggestions are offered for public policies and future research in the context of accelerated aging in Puerto Rico.

Objective:

Analyze gender differences and the impact of older parents' housing arrangements on receiving intergenerational support in Puerto Rico, based on the findings of the Puerto Rico Elderly People and Health Conditions Project 2006-2007.

Main Variables
Living Together, Disability, Family, Health, Hispanic-Caribbean, People Living Alone
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Reference Population:
Adults aged 60 and over in Puerto Rico
Product:
Living Arrangements and Intergenerational Support in Puerto Rico: Are Fathers Disadvantaged?
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