Scoping Review: Intergenerational Resource Transfer and Possible Enabling Factors

Eliza Lai-Yi Wong, Jennifer Mengwei Liao, Christopher Etherton-Beer, Loretta Baldassar, Gary Cheung, Claire Margaret Dale, Elisabeth Flo, Bettina Sandgathe Husebø, Roy Lay-Yee, Adele Millard, Kathy Ann Peri, Praveen Thokala, Chek-hooi Wong, Patsy Yuen-Kwan Chau, Crystal Ying Chan, Roger Yat-Nork Chung and Eng-Kiong Yeoh
Additional contact information
Eliza Lai-Yi Wong: The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Jennifer Mengwei Liao: The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Christopher Etherton-Beer: Internal Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The University of Western, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
Loretta Baldassar: School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Education, The University of Western, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
Gary Cheung: School of Medicine, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Claire Margaret Dale: Retirement Policy and Research Centre, Faculty of Business and Economics, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Elisabeth Flo: Department of Clinical Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, The University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway
Bettina Sandgathe Husebø: Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, The University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway
Roy Lay-Yee: Centre for Methods & Policy Application in the Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Adele Millard: School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Education, The University of Western, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
Kathy Ann Peri: School of Nursing, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
Praveen Thokala: Health Economics and Decision Science, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
Chek-hooi Wong: Duke-NUS Medical School, National University of Singapore, Singapore 169857, Singapore
Patsy Yuen-Kwan Chau: The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Crystal Ying Chan: The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Roger Yat-Nork Chung: The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Eng-Kiong Yeoh: The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 21, 1-22

Abstract: We explore the intergenerational pattern of resource transfer and possible associated factors. A scoping review was conducted of quantitative, peer-reviewed, English-language studies related to intergenerational transfer or interaction. We searched AgeLine, PsycINFO, Social Work Abstracts, and Sociological Abstracts for articles published between Jane 2008 and December 2018. Seventy-five studies from 25 countries met the inclusion criteria. The scoping review categorised resource transfers into three types: financial, instrumental, and emotional support. Using an intergenerational solidarity framework, factors associated with intergenerational transfer were placed in four categories: (1) demographic factors (e.g., age, gender, marital status, education, and ethno-cultural background); (2) needs and opportunities factors, including health, financial resources, and employment status; (3) family structures, namely, family composition, family relationship, and earlier family events; and (4) cultural-contextual structures, including state policies and social norms. Those factors were connected to the direction of resource transfer between generations. Downward transfers from senior to junior generations occur more frequently than upward transfers in many developed countries. Women dominate instrumental transfers, perhaps influenced by traditional gender roles. Overall, the pattern of resource transfer between generations is shown, and the impact of social norms and social policy on intergenerational transfers is highlighted. Policymakers should recognise the complicated interplay of each factor with different cultural contexts. The findings could inform policies that strengthen intergenerational solidarity and support.

Keywords: intergenerational relationships; healthcare policy; social capital (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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