Elderly Capacity and Intergenerational Mutual Support in Vietnam

The subject of this article is the provision of mutual support between older people and their children. Intergenerational transfers are considered an empirical indicator of functional solidarity, a key element of intergenerational solidarity (Bengtson, Roberts 1991). The types of support analyzed in this article include financial support, help with housework, caregiving, and help at work. This article analyzes a sample from the Vietnam National Ageing Survey, which includes 2,700 participants aged 60 and older. The results of the study suggest that older people with greater financial resources are more likely to engage in intergenerational mutual support relationships, especially financial support. In addition, age, marital status, housing situation, number of children, and health status of older parents significantly affect the willingness to provide mutual support. Future research should focus on analyzing models of reciprocity and the relationship between the quality of intergenerational relationships and mutual support. Additionally, it should address the effects of mutual support on well-being and life satisfaction in old age.