Influence of intergenerational social support on self-worth of empty nesters in community

Wang Weiping; Chen Changxiang

doi:10.12102/j.issn.1009-6493.2018.13.020

Abstract：Objective:To understand the self-worth status quo of empty nesters in community and explore the relationship between intergenerational social support and self-worth between empty nesters in community and their adult children.Methods:A total of 1802 elderly people aged 60 years and above in communities of Tangshan city,Hebei province were recruited and investigated with A-dult Self-Worth Questionnaire and Intergenerational Social Support Questionnaire.Results:A total of 1019 empty nesters were found in the whole 1802 elderly,accounting for 56.5%.The self-worth score of empty nesters in community was (111.34 ± 10.61) points. The self-worth score of empty nesters had significant differences over different age groups,educational levels,marital statuses,and caring from offspring (P＜0.05).The self-worth of empty nesters in community was positively correlated with all dimensions of in-tergenerational social support.Multiple regression analysis showed that each dimension of material support from children and social support from the elderly parents had important effect on the self-worth of empty nesters in community.Conclusion:Age,education level,marital status,caring from offspring,and intergenerational social support were the influencing factors of the self-worth of empty nesters in community.Adult children supported the elderly in material and the elderly supported adult children in emotion,material, and service could effectively predict the self-worth of empty nesters in community.