Emotional Closeness between Grandparents and Grandchildren in Rural China: The Mediating Role of the Middle Generation

Abstract

Grandparent-grandchild relationships are important in Chinese society and the middle generation plays an important role in them. The present study drew on data from the 2009 wave of the Longitudinal Study of Older Adults in Anhui Province, China, to examine variation in emotional closeness between grandparents and their grandchildren. Our focus was on the middle generation as a relational bridge to grandchildren in terms of grandparents' gender, emotional closeness to their adult children, and kinship status (paternal versus maternal lineage). We analyzed reports from 926 grandparents about their relationships with 1,982 grandchildren. Logistic cluster regression analyses revealed that closeness between grandparents and their adult children was strongly associated with grandparent-grandchild closeness. Paternal grandparents reported closer relationships with their grandchildren than did 227 maternal grandparents, and these relationships were particularly strong for paternal grandmothers. Contrary to what we had hypothesized, the influence of emotional closeness to adult children was not moderated by lineage. We conclude that the middle generation provides an important bridge between grandparents and grandchildren and that gender and lineage type serve as strong facilitators of these relationships.

Grandparent–Grandchild Relationships in Chinese Immigrant Families in Los Angeles: Roles of Acculturation and the Middle Generation

“…In this study, the middle generation, especially their filial obligation behavior toward old parents also played an important role in the grandparent–grandchild relationship. This result confirms previous study findings that the middle generation facilitated the close relationship between grandparent and grandchild ( Xu & Chi, 2018 ; Xu et al, 2014 ). Filial obligation is a traditional Chinese value and can be defined as the expression of responsibility, respect, sacrifice, and family harmony that regulates children’s attitudes and behavior.…”

“…The middle generation often influences intergenerational relationships by encouraging or hindering interaction between grandparents and grandchildren in Asian population ( Xu & Chi, 2015 ). Positive relationships between grandparents and grandchildren in China were possible only if they were mediated and facilitated by the parents ( Xu & Chi, 2018 ; Xu, Silverstein, & Chi, 2014 ). For immigrant families, one study found that the link between Australian Vietnamese grandparents and their grandchildren was dependent upon the link between the grandparent and parent generations ( Vo-Thanh-Xuan & Liamputtong, 2003 ).…”

Grandchildren as Support and Care Providers to Disabled Older Adults in China

“…Although willingness of grandchildren to provide care is difficult to assess empirically, we note that grandparents tend to be emotionally close to their adult grandchildren, particularly in rural areas (Xu, Silverstein & Chi, 2014). Research by Lou (2010) among older adults in Hong Kong found that emotional support from adolescent and adult grandchildren was associated with life satisfaction, suggesting the continued importance of this intergenerational tie.…”

“…One aspect of grandfamilies that shares common ground across societies is the interdependence of generations. Research demonstrates that emotional closeness between grandparents and grandchildren is associated with emotional closeness between grandparents and the middle-generation, as has been shown in both the United States (Monserud, 2008(Monserud, , 2010 and China (Xu, Silverstein, & Chi, 2014). In a patrilineal kinship system within which relationships with sons are favored over those with daughters, grandchildren tend to be emotionally closer to their paternal grandparents than they are to their maternal grandparents (Xu, Silverstein, & Chi, 2014).…”

“…The cultural norm for Chinese grandparents to engage in coparenting and full-time care for grandhildren, often due to the labor migration of working parents, has resulted in strengthened emotional bonds with grandchildren and, prospectively, increased amounts of support from them (Xu & Chi, 2016;Xu, Silverstein, & Chi, 2014). The large number of grandparents in China who are raising their grandchildren suggests that life-long bonds of reciprocity may induce more care from grandchildren than that seen in Western countries, where custodial grandparenting is far rarer (Baker & Silverstein, 2012).…”