Intergenerational financial exchange and the psychological well-being of older adults in the Republic of Korea.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined whether the exchange of instrumental support (i.e., financial resources) among older adults and their children was related to the psychological well-being of older Koreans.

METHODS: Data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing were employed. Older adults who were aged 65 and older and who had at least one living child who did not live in the respondent's household were included (N = 3791). Well-being was measured with depressive symptoms (CES-D-10) and life satisfaction. For the direction model of exchange, giving and receiving support was assessed with financial aid (cash and non-cash). For the reciprocity model of exchange, four patterns of financial exchanges were identified: both giving and receiving, receiving only, giving only, and no exchange.

RESULTS: The results from the direction model showed that older adults who give financial support were less likely to be depressed and reported higher levels of life satisfaction. The effect of receiving support was not significant for depression but was related to higher levels of life satisfaction. The results from the reciprocity model showed that those who gave and received support had better psychological health compared to those who only received support.

CONCLUSIONS: Both giving and receiving were positively related to the psychological well-being of older adults. Our results provide support for identity theory and equity theory as frameworks for understanding intergenerational exchange and well-being of older Koreans.