Family Assistance as a Factor in the Subjective Well-Being of the Elderly

Abstract

This study is devoted to analyzing the extent to which older people are involved in aid exchange with their social environment. We also analyze how providing (receiving) financial and instrumental assistance to children (from children) is correlated with the subjective well-being of older people. The study is based on data from the National Survey of the Older Generation (NISP) 2021. Data analysis was carried out using multiple regressions. Respondents aged 60 years and up were selected for descriptive analysis. The sample consisted of 1782 respondents. For regression analysis we selected elderly people aged 60 years and up who had children (1536 respondents). Our analysis shows that almost one in 5 elderly people receives assistance from other people with household chores or document related work. About 20% of the elderly take it upon themselves to provide practical assistance to other people. Approximately 25% of older people provided financial assistance or gave expensive gifts to other people. The elderly themselves were somewhat less likely to be recipients of financial assistance or expensive gifts from other people. The bulk of the aid exchange takes place between older people and their children. It was found that receiving instrumental assistance from children had a negative association with life satisfaction among the elderly. At the same time, receiving financial assistance from children was positively associated with the level of life satisfaction among older people. Furthermore, receiving financial assistance from children is important primarily for mothers, as well as elderly parents who have health problems. The relationship between life satisfaction and the provision of financial or instrumental assistance to children did not reach statistical significance.