Effects of changes in family social capital on the self-rated health and family life satisfaction of older adults in Taiwan: A longitudinal study.

AIM

The present study assessed the effect of family social capital on self-rated health and family life satisfaction among older adults aged ≥50 years.

METHODS

A logistic regression model was used to analyze the longitudinal data of 1243 older adults from the Panel Study of Family Dynamics in Taiwan.

RESULTS

The findings show that, compared with having a poor relationship with parents, respondents who were getting along with their parents have a higher likelihood of reporting good health. Frequent interaction with kin significantly promotes respondents' family life satisfaction. With regard to parental control, there is no evidence of its effect on either health or family life satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that the quality of relationships has limited effect on the health of older adults, whereas frequent interaction with kin contributes to the promotion of their family life satisfaction. Policies aiming to improve health-related quality of life should take into account the importance of a reciprocal relationships and the need to maintain family-focused networks in Chinese culture. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 228-232.