Filial expectation among Chinese immigrants in the United States of America: a cohort comparison

Abstract

Relying on two unique data-sets on Chinese older immigrants (N = 3,157) and younger immigrants with ageing parents (N = 469) in Chicago, this study compared the level of filial expectation among the two groups and examined the predictors and mental health implications of having high filial expectation among each group. Results of t-tests, logistic regression and negative binominal analyses showed that, regardless of socio-demographic variables, acculturation, physical health and family relations, Chinese adult children had higher filial expectations on themselves than older immigrants’ filial expectation on the younger generation. Chinese older immigrants who had less education, lower levels of acculturation, poorer health and closer relationships with children reported higher filial expectation. In the cohort of younger immigrants, high filial expectation was associated with lower income, better health and closer relations with their parents. In addition, having high filial expectation was associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety among the older immigrants, but not among the younger cohort. The results indicated that, whereas Chinese older immigrants seemed to adapt their filial expectation in the new society, the younger cohort still strongly adhere to this traditional family norm. Maintaining strong filial expectation might be a protective factor for older immigrants’ mental health. Practice and policy implications of these findings are discussed in the paper.

Are Filial Piety and Ethnic Community Engagement Associated With Psychological Wellbeing Among Older Chinese American Immigrants? A Cultural Resource Perspective

“…Among the most enduring cultural beliefs of this population is the traditional Confucian ideal of filial piety—the expectation that children obey, respect, and serve their older parents. This norm is deeply rooted in values of familism and the virtue of maintaining strong intergenerational solidarity, which has been found to be positively related to the psychological wellbeing of older Chinese parents (Dong et al, 2012a; Dong et al, 2016; Guo et al, 2019; Liu et al, 2019). However, filial piety is malleable following the social dislocation caused by migration.…”

“…However, older immigrants in the United States, in comparison to older nonimmigrants, tend to experience worse psychological states due, in part, to challenges of adapting to an unfamiliar social, cultural, and linguistic environment (Gonzalez et al, 2001; Lum & Vanderaa, 2010). Moreover, Chinese-American elders demonstrate negative psychological outcomes with a slow rate of acculturation to Western society and social disconnection from its institutions (Chen et al, 2018; Dong et al, 2012a; Guo et al, 2019; Liu et al, 2019).…”

“…Filial piety is a core family norm in Asian minority groups and with substantial impacts on psychological wellbeing (Guo et al, 2019). Chinese-American older adults tend to adhere to this traditional cultural value, making support from children (or its absence) more consequential than support from friends or other family members (Dong et al, 2012a; Yeung & Fung, 2007).…”

Barriers and facilitators of health among older adult immigrants in the United States: an integrative review of 20 years of literature

“…Differing definitions and age limits in were present in the studies reviewed. While many articles used 65 years or older as their inclusion criteria, others selected a lower age, still categorizing the age as the threshold for ‘older adult.’ For example, Cofie et al [ 51 ], Zhang and Zhan [ 38 ], Nandan [ 48 ], and Gautam et al [ 52 ], included those 50 and older; while Guo et al [ 53 ], Lee and Eaton [ 54 ], Sohng et al [ 55 ], and Aroian and Vander [ 56 ], included those 60 and older. This creates concerns when comparing studies, especially when assessing health insurance, as one needs to be at least 65 to qualify for Medicare unless qualifying via disability status or in few other conditions [ 57 ].…”

Perceptions and expectations of filial piety among older Chinese immigrants in Canada

“…Daphna and Merril's (2006) study found filial norms not only differ by gender, generation and historical era, but they also change across the adult lifespan. The study by M Guo et al (2020) of Chinese older immigrants and younger immigrants with ageing parents demonstrated that Chinese older immigrants who had less education, lower levels of acculturation, poorer health and closer relationships with children reported higher filial expectation. Finally, the study did not reveal significant differences between older immigrants from different home societies, e.g.…”