Filial piety and intergenerational ambivalence among mother–adult child dyads in rural China

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between filial piety (adult children's filial behaviours and attitudes as well as elderly mothers’ overall evaluation of children's filial piety) and elderly mothers’ reports of intergenerational ambivalence (positive feelings, negative feelings and combined ambivalence) in rural China. We analysed the data from a survey in 2016 covering 2,203 adult children and 802 elderly mothers in Sichuan Province using a two-level mixed-effects modelling analysis. The results indicate that most components of filial piety are associated with mothers’ ambivalence, in that less ambivalence was reported by mothers when their adult children provided more emotional support to, had less conflict with and were evaluated as more filial by their mothers. Interestingly, mothers demonstrated greater positive feelings when their children were more filial in behaviour and attitude, but they also reported greater negative feelings and ambivalence when their children were more obedient, implying that absolute obedience to elderly parents might no longer be accepted by people. These findings may provide further understanding about the correlation between the culture of filial piety and intergenerational relationships in rural China.

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

“…Obedience of parents, for example, can be seen as an ‘Extreme Principle’ (Sin, 2019 a ) or a ‘strong principle’ (Sin, 2019 b ). Nevertheless, in today's Chinese societies, including the Canadian immigrant community, it does not refer to parents’ absolute authority over children, or children's unconditional obedience to parents, or children's obligation to support parents at any cost (Canda, 2013; Yeh et al , 2013; Q Guo et al , 2020).…”

Perceptions and desires of Chinese senior outbound tourists receiving travel support from adult children: a qualitative study

“…, 2020). This concept is often used to explain the complexity of family relations under affective and cognitive conflict (Connidis and Mcmullin, 2002; Guo et al. , 2019; Hua et al.…”

“…Due to competing needs for independence and connection, intergenerational ambivalence theory argues that intergenerational relationships can be close as well as irritating (Fingerman et al, 2020). This concept is often used to explain the complexity of family relations under affective and cognitive conflict (Connidis and Mcmullin, 2002;Guo et al, 2019;Hua et al, 2020;L€ uscher and Pillemer, 1998). Studies have found that the positive and negative effects of intergenerational ambivalence will have a negative impact on the mental health of the elderly, and may lead to guilt (Kalmijn, 2020).…”

Preparation for future care moderates the relationship between loneliness and depression among Chinese rural older adults: A cross-sectional study

“…As these individuals age, their decreased physical functioning impairs their ability to farm; thus, they lose their primary source of income, and struggle to remain self-sufficient. Traditional Chinese Confucian culture emphasizes filial piety, which means older adults mainly rely on their adult children for their support and care [30]. As a result, rural older adults whose children work in cities often feel there is no one they will be able to rely on in the future.…”