Intergenerational transition of successful ageing through familism across three nested generations.

Abstract

The current study aims to investigate the effect of familism on successful ageing (SA) across generations and to observe the feedback loop between intergenerational transitions of SA. The final sample for the study comprised 810 participants (270 grandparents, 270 fathers, and 270 grandchildren). Families having grandchildren less than 18 years and fathers working in other cities or countries were excluded from the study. Informed consent was taken from all the families before the distribution of questionnaires. Along with demographics, data were collected on the Attitudinal Familism Scale and the Successful Ageing Scale from all participants. Results indicated that the SA of grandparents predicted their own familism, leading to fathers' familism and SA. Fathers' familism further predicted their own SA and grandchildren's familism. Both fathers' SA and grandchildren's familism further predicted SA in grandchildren, leading to the SA of grandparents. The cyclic nature of the transition of SA through familism among three generations is tested by investigating the feedback loop and indirect effects estimated. Grandparents' SA through their familism directly and indirectly affect father's SA through their respective familial values, which are further reflected in the SA of grandparents.