The effects of reciprocal support on mental health among intergenerational non-relatives–A comparison by age group

Abstract

PurposeThis study aimed to verify the direction of providing and receiving intergenerational support and examine its effects on mental health among intergenerational non-relatives. Materials and MethodsIn the initial survey (Time1), approximately 65,000 residents of Wako City in Saitama Prefecture, Japan, were considered, from which, a sample of 7,000 people was obtained. A total of 2,982 valid responses was received, and a follow-up survey was conducted two years later (Time2). ResultsStructural equation modeling with a cross-lagged effect model and a synchronous effect model showed that the direction of giving and receiving intergenerational support had changed with age; while the young and middle-aged groups shifted their direction from receiving support to giving support, the older adults shifted their direction from giving support to receiving support. Furthermore, in the young-adults group, receiving support from older adults positively influenced their mental health two years later. For the middle-aged group, giving support positively influenced their mental health at Time2. For the old-old group, receiving support from young and middle-aged people positively influenced the mental health at Time2. ConclusionsTo facilitate intergenerational mutual help in the local community, it is necessary to create opportunities for older adults to provide support to young and middle-aged people and, in return, create a mechanism to prompt support from young and middle-aged people for older adults.