Life Satisfaction and Intergenerational Mobility Among Older Hispanics in the United States

Abstract

Objectives To investigate the impact of intergenerational mobility—measured as the difference between one’s own and one’s father’s education level—on overall life-satisfaction among Hispanic, White, and Black older Americans. Methods Data from the Health and Retirement Study were used to estimate life satisfaction by race/ethnicity using ordinary least squares regression (N = 5,057). Results Hispanic and Black older Americans report greater educational gains relative to their fathers compared to Whites. Despite having the lowest reported education levels, Hispanics report the highest life satisfaction across race/ethnic groups. However, net of education level and other factors, intergenerational mobility decreased rather than increased life satisfaction for Hispanic older Americans. Discussion These results indicate that intergenerational mobility may not confer equal benefits for overall life satisfaction across racial/ethnic groups. As Hispanic individuals continue to achieve higher education levels, it is unclear whether upward mobility will translate to positive or negative assimilation consequences.