Filial Piety Discrepancy and Wellbeing among Older Chinese Immigrants Living in Canada: The Role of Acculturation and Living Arrangement

Abstract

This survey-based, cross-sectional study explored the independent and synergistic effect of filial piety discrepancy (FPD), acculturation, and living arrangement on the psychological, social, and physical wellbeing of older Chinese immigrants living in Canada. A total of 299 older Chinese immigrants were recruited from community organizations in the Greater Toronto Area. Participants completed questionnaires that assessed demographic information, filial piety, living arrangement, acculturation, and three domains of wellbeing. Greater FPD was associated with lower self-reported psychological, social, and physical wellbeing. Co-residence with adult children was also associated with greater psychological wellbeing. Although living arrangement did not moderate the association between FPD and wellbeing, a significant interaction between FPD and acculturation indicated that the association between greater FPD and poorer psychological wellbeing was strongest for those with lower acculturation levels. This study confirms previous associations found between FPD and psychological wellbeing, and further extends this association to social and physical indices of wellbeing. Study findings further highlight the importance of acculturation in the relationship between FPD and wellbeing among older Chinese immigrants.