IMPACTS OF INTERGENERATIONAL CARE ON FUTURE CARE EXPECTATIONS: A SURVEY-EXPERIMENT STUDY OF AGING SANDWICH CARERS

Abstract Abstract background An increasing number of people in their 50s and 60s are sandwiched between surviving parents and children. Numerous ageing adults often provide support for older and/or younger generations while also facing their own challenges and stereotypes associated with the transition to old age. Objectives This study examined the effects of multi-dimensional, multi-directional care provision on future care expectation among sandwich carers. Design and methods We implemented three factorial survey experiments within a large-scale representative survey of 1,500 sandwiched carers aged 50 and 69 (Mean age = 58.86±5.47) in Hong Kong. Care expectation was assessed in hypothetical scenarios across three key domains: financial, instrumental, and emotional care. Ordered logistic regression and multi-nominal logistic regression models were used. Results Downward support to children was positively associated with filial care expectations, especially emotional support (OR = 1.45; 95% CI = [1.21, 1.73], p< 0.001). Sandwiched carers’ SES was negatively associated with expectations for financial (OR = 0.75; 95% CI = [0.62, 0.89], p< 0.01) and instrumental care (OR = 0.85; 95% CI = [0.71, 1.01], p=0.068) from children. Providing instrumental support to both parents and children reduced the expectation for future instrumental care. Having sons and greater socioeconomic resources increased the preference for self-care, while downward support reduced it. Discussion Downward support to children strengthens filial care expectations among sandwich carers, especially mothers. However, providing instrumental support to both parents and children, along with SES, promotes the pursuit for self-care. It is crucial to enhancing sandwich carers’ image, caregiving capabilities and later-life preparations.