Abstract
Chinese culture is renowned for its emphasis on respect for the older people. As a traditional virtue, filial piety is highly regarded in the Chinese culture. The social and moral obligation of “filial piety,” which carries the meanings of respect and providing support and care, continues to prevail. However, Chinese societies are not homogenous. Based on a large-scale comparative survey on health and well-being of older Chinese in Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Taipei, this chapter examines the differences in social support and care received by older Chinese 65 years of age and older. The two research questions are (1) What are the levels of support and care received by the elderly Chinese in Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Taipei? and (2) How does the support and care received differ for the elderly Chinese in these three locations? Similarities and differences among the older Chinese in these three locations are discussed, with focuses on living arrangements, social and financial support, care received for personal and instrumental care for activities of living, and perceived sense of loneliness. The sociocultural contexts in which these differences may be situated are also explained.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.
Buying options
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Learn about institutional subscriptionsReferences
Antonucci, T. C., Sherman, A. M., & Akiyama, H. (1996). Social networks, support, and integration. In J. E. Birred (Ed.), Encyclopedia of gerontology (Vol. 2, pp. 502–515). New York: Academic Press.
Bajekal, M., Blane, D., Grewal, I., Karlsen, S., & Nazroo, J. (2004). Ethnic differences in influences on quality of life at older ages: A quantitative analysis. Ageing & Society, 24(5), 709–728.
Baorong, G., Pickard, J., & Jin, J. (2007). A cultural perspective on health outcomes of caregiving grandparents: Evidence from China. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 5(4), 25–40.
Bosworth, H. B., & Schaie, K. W. (1997). The relationship of social environment, social networks, and health outcomes in the Seattle longitudinal study: Analytical approaches. Journals of Gerontology: Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 52B, 197–205.
Carstensen, L. L. (1991). Socioemotional selectivity theory: Social activity in life-span context. Annual Review of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 11, 195–217.
Census & Statistics Department (2001). Hong Kong 2001 Population Census – Basic tables for district council districts (pp. 1–223). Hong Kong: Census & Statistics Department, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, People’s Republic of China.
Chan, A. (2005). Aging in Southeast and East Asian: Issues and policy directions. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology, 20(4), 269–284.
Chao, S. Y., & Roth, P. (2000). The experiences of Taiwanese women caring for parents-in-law. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 31(3), 631–638.
Chau-Kiu, C., & Raymond, M. H. N. (2005). Improving old adults’ functional ability through service use in a home care program in Hong Kong. Research on Social Work Practice, 15(3), 154–164.
Chen, Y. J. (2007). More choices for families? Changing elderly care models in Taiwan. International Journal of Sociology of the Family, 33(1), 123–143.
Cheng, S. T., & Chan, A. C. M. (2006). Filial piety and psychological well-being in well older Chinese. Journal of Gerontology, Psychological Sciences, 61, 262–269.
Chi, I., & Choi, K. L. (2001). Social support and depression among elderly Chinese people in Hong Kong. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 52, 231–252.
Chiou, C. J., Chen, J. P., & Wang, H. H. (2005). Health status of family caregivers in Taiwan: An analysis of gender differences. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 20(9), 821–826.
Chiu, S., & Yu, S. (2001). An excess of culture: The myth of shared care in the Chinese community in Britain. Ageing & Society, 21(6), 681–699.
Chou, K. E., & Chi, I. (2001). Stressful life events and depressive symptoms: Social support and sense of control as mediators or moderators? International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 52, 155–171.
Chou, K. L., & Chi, I. (2004). Reciprocal relationship between pain and depression in elderly Chinese primary care patients. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 20, 945–952.
Chou, Y. C., Lee, Y. C., Lin, L. C., Chang, A. N., & Huang, W. Y. (2008). Social services utilization by adults with intellectual disabilities and their families. Social Science & Medicine, 66(12), 2474–2485.
Chow, N. W. S. (2001). The practice of filial piety among the Chinese in Hong Kong. In I. Chi, N. L. Chappell, & J. Lubben (Eds.), Elderly Chinese in Pacific Rim Countries. Hong Kong: Hong Kong University.
Consedine, N. S., Magai, C., & King, A. R. (2004). Deconstructing positive affect in later life: A differential functionalist analysis of joy and interest. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 58, 49–68.
Cooke, M. (2006). Policy changes and the labour force participation of older workers: Evidence from six countries. Canadian Journal on Aging, 25(4), 387–400.
Crouter, A. C., Bumpus, M. E., Head, M. R., & McHale, S. M. (2001). Implications of overwork and overload for the quality of men’s family relationships. Journal of Marriage & Family, 63(2), 404–417.
Cummings, S. M. (2003). The efficacy of an integrated group treatment program for depressed assisted living residents. Research on Social Work Practice, 13, 608–621.
Delgadillo, L., Sorensen, S., & Coster, D. C. (2004). An exploratory study of preparation for future care among older Latinos in Utah. Journal of Family and Economic Issues, 25(1), 51–78.
Delgado, M., & Tennstedt, S. (1997). Puerto Rican sons as primary caregivers of elder parents. Social Work, 42, 125–134.
Evashwick, C., & Ory, M. (2005). How to keep a public health and aging program going. Generations, 29(2), 76–81.
Fong, S. L. M. (1973). Assimilation and changing social roles of Chinese Americans. Journal of Social Issues, 29(2), 115–127.
George, L. K. (2005). Stress and coping. In M. L. Johnson (Ed.), The Cambridge handbook of age and ageing (pp. 292–300). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Glaser, K., Stuchbury, R., Tomassini, C., & Askham, J. (2008). The long-term consequences of partnership dissolution for support in later life in the United Kingdom. Ageing & Society, 28(3), 329–351.
Gordon, M. (2001). Challenges of an aging population. Annals of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, 34(5), 306–308.
Gupta, R., & Pillai, V. K. (2000). Caregiver burden in South Asian families: A systems theory perspective. Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 9(1–2), 41–53.
Hashimoto, A., & Ikels, C. (2005). Filial piety in changing Asian societies. In M. L. Johnson (Ed.), The Cambridge handbook of age and ageing (pp. 437–442). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Health Canada. (2004). Family/Informal caregivers. http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hcs-sss/home-domicile/caregiv-interven/index-eng.php. Accessed 10 July 2008.
Ho, D. Y. F. (1996). Filial piety and its psychological consequences. In M. H. Bond (Ed.), The handbook of Chinese psychology (pp. 155–165). Hong Kong: Oxford University Press.
Holroyd, E. (2001). Hong Kong Chinese daughters’ intergenerational caregiving obligations: A cultural model approach. Social Science & Medicine, 53(9), 1125–1135.
Holroyd, E. E. (2003). Chinese family obligations toward chronically ill elderly members: Comparing caregivers in Beijing and Hong Kong. Qualitative Health Research, 13(3), 302–319.
Hui-Chuan, H. (2007). Exploring elderly people’s perspectives on successful ageing in Taiwan. Ageing & Society, 27(1), 87–102.
Ikegami, N. (1995). Functional assessment and its place in health care. New England Journal of Medicine, 332(9), 598–99.
Kahn, J. H., Hessling, R. M., & Russell, D. W. (2003). Social support, health, and well-being among the elderly: What is the role of negative affectivity? Personality and Individual Differences, 35, 5–17.
Keng-mun, L. W., & Kwok, H. K. (2004). Living arrangements and informal support for the elderly: Alteration to intergenerational relationships in Hong Kong. Journal of Intergenerational Relationships, 2(2), 27–50.
Keng-mun, L. W., & Kwok, H. K. (2005). Older women and family care in Hong Kong: Differences in filial expectation and practices. Journal of Women & Aging, 17(1/2), 129–150.
Krause, N. (2001). Social support. In R. H. Binstock, L. K. George, V. W. Marshall, A. M. O’Rand, & J. H. Schultz (Eds.), Handbook of aging and the social sciences (pp. 272–294). San Diego: Academic Press.
LaBauve, B. J., & Robinson, C. R. (1999). Adjusting to retirement: Considerations for counselors. Adultspan Journal, 1(1), 2–12.
Lam, C. W., & Boey, K. W. (2005). The psychological well-being of the Chinese elderly living in old urban areas of Hong Kong: A social perspective. Aging & Mental Health, 9(2), 162–166.
Lamberg, L. (2004). Impact of long working hours explored. Journal of the American Medical Association, 292(1), 25–26.
Lau, J. C. Y., & Chiu, C. H. (2004). Accessibility of workers in a compact city: The case of Hong Kong. Habitat International, 28(1), 89–103.
Leich, J. (2000). Preventing hospitalization home hospice nurses, caregivers, and shifting notions of the good death. Research in the Sociology of Health care, 18, 207–228.
Levande, D. I., Herrick, J. M., & Sung, K. (2000). Eldercare in the United States and South Korea. Journal of Family Issues, 21(5), 632–651.
Lowenstein, A., & Daatland, S. O. (2006). Filial norms and family support in a comparative cross-national context: Evidence from the OASIS study. Ageing & Society, 26(2), 203–223.
Magilvy, J. K., Congdon, J. G., & Martinez, R. (1994). Circles of care: Home care and community support for rural older adults. Advances in Nursing Science, 16(3), 22–33.
Minnes, P., & Woodford, L. (2005). Well-being in aging parents caring for an adult with developmental disability. Journal on Developmental Disabilities, 11, 47–66.
Ng, A. C. Y., Phillips, D. R., & Lee, W. K. M. (2002). Persistence and challenges to filial piety and informal support of older persons in a modern Chinese society: A case study in Tuen Mun, Hong Kong. Journal of Aging Studies, 16(2), 135–153.
North, R. J., Holahan, C. J., Moos, R. H., & Cronkite, R. C. (2008). Family support, family income, and happiness: A 10-year perspective. Journal of Family Psychology, 22(3), 475–483.
Ochocka, J., Nelson, G., Janzen, R., & Trainor, J. (2006). A longitudinal study of mental health consumer/survivor initiatives: Part 3 – A qualitative study of impacts of participation on new members. Journal of Community Psychology, 34(3), 273–283.
Ozawa, M. N., & Lum, T. Y. (2005). Men who work at age 70 or older. Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 45(4), 41–63.
Phelan, E. A., Anderson, L. A., LaCroiz, A. Z., & Larson, E. B. (2004). Older adults’ views of “successful aging” – How do they compare with researchers’ definitions? Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 52(2), 211–216.
Philips, D. R., Siu, O. L., Yeh, A. G. O., & Cheng, K. H. C. (2008). Informal social support and older persons psychological well-being in Hong Kong. Journal of Cross Cultural Gerontology, 23, 39–55.
Porter, G. (2001). Workaholic tendencies and the high potential for stress among co-workers. International Journal of Stress Management, 8(2), 147–164.
Ren, X. S., & Chang, K. (1998). Evaluating health status of elderly Chinese in Boston. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 51, 429–435.
Ren, X. S., Amick, B., Zhou, L., & Gandek, B. (1998). Translation and psychometric evaluation of a Chinese version of the SF-36 Health Survey in the United States. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 51, 1129–1138.
Robertson, S. M., Zarit, S. H., Duncan, L. G., Rovine, M. J., & Femia, E. E. (2007). Family caregivers’ patterns of positive and negative affect. Family Relations, 56(1), 12–23.
Siebert, D. C., Multran, E. J., & Reitzes, D. C. (1999). Friendship and social support: The importance of role identity to aging adults. Social Work, 44, 522–533.
Siu, O. L., & Phillips, D. R. (2002). A study of family support, friendship, and psychological well-being among older women in Hong Kong. International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 55, 295–315.
Smith, A. E., Sim, J., Scharf, T., & Phillipson, C. (2004). Determinants of quality of life amongst older people in deprived neighbourhoods. Ageing & Society, 24, 793–814.
Stuifbergen, M. C., Van Delden, J. J. M., & Dykstra, P. A. (2008). Ageing & Society, 28(3), 413–434.
Sung, K. (2002). Filial piety: The East Asian ideal of parent care in changing times. Southwest Journal on Aging, 17(1–2), 23–29.
Teri, L. (1999). Training families to provide care: Effects of people with dementia. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 14(2), 110–116.
Tracy, M. B. (1993). Government versus the family: The false dichotomy. Generations, 17(4), 47–51.
Walker, A. J., Pratt, C. C., & Eddy, L. (1995). Informal caregiving to aging family members: A critical review. Family Relations, 44(4), 402–411.
Ware, J. E., Jr., & Gandek, B. (1998). Overview of the SF-36 Health Survey and the International Quality of Life Assessment (IQOLA) Project. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 51, 903–912.
Ware, J. E., & Kosinski, M. (2001). Interpreting SF-36 summary health measures: A response. Quality of Life Research, 10, 405–413. 415–420.
Ware, J. E., Jr., & Sherbourne, C. D. (1992). The MOS 36-item short-form health survey (SF-36). I. Conceptual framework and item selection. Medical Care, 30, 473–83.
Ware, J. E., Jr., Kosinski, M., Gandek, B., Aaronson, N. K., Apolone, G., Bech, P., et al. (1998). The factor structure of the SF-36 Health Survey in 10 countries: Results from the IQOLA Project. International Quality of Life Assessment. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 51, 1159–1165.
Ware, J. E., Kosinski, M., & Keller, S. D. (1994). SF-36 physical & mental health summary scales: A user’s manual. Boston: The Health Institute, New England Medical Centre.
Westaway, M., Seager, J., Rheeder, P., & Van Zyl, D. (2005). The effects of social support on health, well-being and management of diabetes mellitus: A black South African perspective. Ethnicity & Health, 10(1), 73–89.
Wing, C. C. K. (1995). Love thy parents and care for thy children: Filial piety and intergenerational cooperation in traditional China. Journal of Socio-Economics, 24(2), 391–409.
Wong, O. M. H., & Chau, B. H. P. (2006). The evolving role of filial piety in eldercare in Hong Kong. Asian Journal of Social Science, 34(4), 600–617.
Wong, S. T., Yoo, G. J., & Stewart, A. I. (2007). An empirical evaluation of social support and psychological well-being in Older Chinese and Korean immigrants. Ethnicity & Health, 12, 43–67.
Yan, W. (2006). Value changes in an era of social transformation: College educated Chinese youth. Educational Studies, 32(2), 233–240.
Zhan, H. J. (2004). Through gendered lens: Explaining Chinese caregivers’ task performance and care reward. Journal of Women & Aging, 16(1/2), 123–142.
Zhan, H. J., & Montgomery, J. V. (2003). Gender and elder care in China: The influence of filial piety and structural constraints. Gender & Society, 17(2), 209–229.
Zhen, C. (2008). Intergenerational time-for-money exchanges in rural China: Does reciprocity reduce depressive symptoms of older grandparents? Research in Human Development, 5(1), 6–25.
Zheng, W., & Hart, R. (2002). The mental health of the childless elderly. Sociological Inquiry, 72(1), 21–42.
Zsembik, B. A., & Bonilla, Z. (2000). Eldercare and the changing family in Puerto Rico. Journal of Family Issues, 21(5), 653–674.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Lai, D.W.L. (2013). Support and Care for Aging Chinese: A Comparison of Guangzhou, Hong Kong and Taipei. In: Kwok-bun, C. (eds) International Handbook of Chinese Families. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-0266-4_17
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-0266-4_17
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-0265-7
Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-0266-4
eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and LawSocial Sciences (R0)