How Do Grown-Up Children Impact the Quality of Life and Life Satisfaction of Elderly Parents
摘要
Intergenerational relations impact the well-being of family members. This chapter analyzes how the distance between intergenerational family members, the nature of relationships among them, and the frequency of communication impact the well-being of the elderly members of the family. In the present research, well-being is associated with quality of life and life satisfaction. The investigation was focused on 50 participants over the age of 60. The tools used in this study were WHOQOL-OLD and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. For deeper investigation, semi-structured interviews were conducted with three married couples from the sample. Quantitative data showed no significant correlation between geographical distance, quality of life, and life satisfaction among the elderly. However, relationship satisfaction and communication frequency with the eldest child were found to be positively correlated with quality of life and life satisfaction. The crux of the data lies in the qualitative investigation where interviews with participants showed that the participants’ perception of the meaning of QoL and LS differed greatly from the QoL and LS measured by the tools. After the collection of data in 2019, COVID-19 has impacted the lives of everyone around the world, affecting those whose children live away from them. This chapter also attempts to shed light on the same.