ASIAN AMERICAN ADULT CHILDREN AS CAREGIVERS FOR THEIR AGING PARENTS: A PUBLIC HEALTH PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

This session is focused on adult children, particularly those with Asian ethnic backgrounds, who are caregivers for their aging parents. Specifically, this session will investigate how ethnic background affects caregiving roles and attitudes, positively or negatively. Studies show, for example, that those from Asian ethnic backgrounds often feel a greater obligation to take care of their older parents—often framed as filial piety. The expectations, roles, and consequent stress levels associated with these cultural caregiving values are of particular interest in this session. Identifying the differences in immigration history, acculturation, generational differences, and cultural values and norms within each Asian American sub-population is important in understanding these caregiver roles and expectations. The session draws from scholarly gerontology literature and adopts a Public Health perspective to organize existing studies and suggest appropriate support and interventions for Asian American adult children caregivers.