Intergenerational Factors Influencing Household Cohabitation in Urban China: Chengdu

Abstract

Family composition impacts individual consumption habits, which may potentially transform urban integral space structure. Due to the reform in the housing system at the end of the 1990s and increases in residents’ income, houses became more affordable, and intergenerational household cohabitation is no longer the primary pattern. Nonetheless, as families change, it still remains an important form of family composition. Intergenerational support is important in household habitation. This study examines the temporal changes and the structure of intergenerational household cohabitation. Moreover, intergenerational factors in groups of all genders and ages are analyzed. We found that intergenerational household cohabitation in Chengdu comprises three structures: elders living with married children, elders living with unmarried children, and elders living with grandchildren. According to multiple logistic regression, we can see that inadequate housing, economy of costs, cases of emergency, fear of loneliness, care of grandchildren, and poor health have marked effects on household cohabitation, and the positive or negative effects are distinct regarding different structures. To be more specific, the significance of financial support in family composition decreases, and that of support in daily care increases with age. The influence of financial support, daily care support, and emotional support peaks among those aged between 35–60, followed by individuals under 35, and those aged over 60. Financial support is comparatively important for individuals under 35, and females attach more importance to emotional support in intergenerational household cohabitation. The findings provide a basis for subsequent studies of family composition.