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Attitudes toward Grandparental Involvement in Hong Kong: A Trend Analysis

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  • Mengtong Chen

    (Department of Social Work, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Ma Liu Shui, Hong Kong, China)

  • Qiqi Chen

    (Department of Social Work, School of Sociology and Anthropology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China)

  • Camilla Kin Ming Lo

    (Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, China)

  • Susan J. Kelley

    (Byrdine F. Lewis College of Nursing and Health Professions, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA)

  • Ko Ling Chan

    (Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong, China)

  • Patrick Ip

    (Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

This article examines individuals’ attitudes toward the involvement of grandparents in family issues in Hong Kong. While existing studies have largely focused on the nature and types of grandparents’ involvement in childcare, it is worth conducting a quantitative investigation of the attitudes in the general population about grandparental involvement. Drawing on the 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017 waves of the Family Surveys, the study examined the trend in attitudes toward grandparental involvement with 8932 HK residents. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to assess individual and family relationship factors associated with the attitudes toward grandparental involvement. Results show that although most people held positive attitudes toward grandparental involvement, there was a significant drop in the agreement with grandparental involvement in 2017 across all age groups. The findings imply that intergenerational support tends to be weakened in HK in recent years. Involving grandparents in family issues in HK was more likely to be need-driven rather than value-driven, as parent respondents had relatively more positive attitudes toward grandparental involvement compared with non-parents. Positive family and intergenerational relationships were significantly associated with the positive attitudes toward grandparental involvement. Policymakers and service providers should recognize the changes in people’s attitudes toward family lives and provide appropriate support such as family counselling, (grand)parenting programs and childcare support to promote the wellbeing of families and older adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Mengtong Chen & Qiqi Chen & Camilla Kin Ming Lo & Susan J. Kelley & Ko Ling Chan & Patrick Ip, 2022. "Attitudes toward Grandparental Involvement in Hong Kong: A Trend Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-14, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:16:p:9858-:d:884743
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Roberta Rutigliano, 2020. "Counting on Potential Grandparents? Adult Children’s Entry Into Parenthood Across European Countries," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 57(4), pages 1393-1414, August.
    2. Daniel Shek & Li Lin, 2014. "Personal Well-Being and Family Quality of Life of Early Adolescents in Hong Kong: Do Economic Disadvantage and Time Matter?," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 117(3), pages 795-809, July.
    3. Giorgio Di Gessa & Karen Glaser & Anthea Tinker, 2016. "The Health Impact of Intensive and Nonintensive Grandchild Care in Europe: New Evidence From SHARE," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 71(5), pages 867-879.
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    Cited by:

    1. Camilla K. M. Lo & Mengtong Chen & Qiqi Chen & Ko Ling Chan & Patrick Ip, 2023. "Social, Community, and Cultural Factors Associated with Parental Stress in Fathers and Mothers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-14, January.
    2. Dorota Kwiatkowska-Ciotucha & Alicja Grześkowiak & Urszula Załuska & Piotr Peternek, 2023. "Grandparents’ Professional and Educational Activity: A Positive or Negative Impact on Relationships with Grandchildren?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-16, January.

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