Intergenerational Relationship Types and Attitude Toward Retirement: Do Gender and Number of Children Matter?

Abstract

Attitudes toward retirement refer to individuals’ thoughts about their life in retirement, and how it is or will be during retirement. Previous research examined the effects of a single dimension of intergenerational relationships on attitude toward retirement, while the impacts of multidimensional intergenerational relationships remain underexplored. This study examines the relationship between multidimensional intergenerational relationships and attitudes toward retirement with a person-centered approach. Data were from 776 Chinese adults aged 50 and older. Intergenerational relationships were measured using the Intergenerational Relationship Quality Scale for Aging Chinese Parents (IRQS-AP). Attitudes toward retirement were measured by the Attitudes toward Retirement Scale. Latent profile analysis was used to identify the typologies of intergenerational relationships. The association between intergenerational relationship typologies and attitudes toward retirement were examined using OLS regression. Four intergenerational types were identified: tight–knit, distant–harmonious, ambivalent, and detached–conflicted. Middle-aged and older adults who were distant–harmonious, tight–knit, and ambivalent were associated with a more positive attitude toward retirement than those who were detached–conflicted. The protective effects were more evident in families with a single son. Cultivating harmonious and intimate intergenerational relationships could improve attitudes toward retirement. Intervention programs could be developed to reduce gender preference gaps in aged care and deliver adequate care services for one-child families.