Downward Intergenerational Support and Well-Being in Older Chinese Adults

Life satisfaction, as an important indicator of subjective well-being, is crucial for older adults. This study aims to examine the effects of downward intergenerational financial and practical support on life satisfaction among older adults in China, while exploring the mediating role of self-esteem and the potential differences across gender. Data were collected from 507 older adults aged 60 and above in China. The findings indicate that both financial and practical support provided by older adults positively predict their life satisfaction. Mediation analysis reveals that self-esteem partially mediates the relationship between downward intergenerational support and life satisfaction. This suggests that helping their children enhances older adults’ sense of self-worth, which in turn improves their overall well-being. Gender differences were also observed: financial support had a stronger impact on life satisfaction for men, while practical support was more significant for women. These results highlight the influence of traditional gender roles and cultural expectations on the dynamics of intergenerational support in contemporary Chinese families.