A Study on Intergenerational Solidarity between Separated Parents-Adult Children: Generalized Structural Equations Model (GSEM) Approach

Abstract

This study aims to identify the types of intergenerational solidarity between parents and adult children and examine the significant factors of solidarity types. To this end, this study employs data from the 7th (2018) of Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging with 2,028 parents living apart from their children. The provision and reception of functional solidarity between parents and adult children are set as the first-order latent variables, associational solidarity and functional solidarity as the second-order latent variables, and intergenerational solidarity as the third-order latent variable. Four types are derived using a Generalized Structural Equations Model (GSEM): ‘Disconnected Type’ with low associational and functional solidarity, ‘Associational Solidarity Type’ with only minimal high-level associational solidarity, ‘Loose Solidarity Type’ with a medium level of associational and functional solidarity, and ‘Strong Solidarity Type’ with both high level of associational and functional solidarity. As a result of analyzing the influence factors focusing on the ‘Strong Solidarity Type’ - the highest intergenerational solidarity – the geographical proximity between parents and children, the income of parent households, and the residential areas are found to be important determinants. From these results, policy implications are presented, and suggestions are put forth for follow-up research.