Intergenerational Family Relations and Life Satisfaction Among Three Elderly Population Groups in Transition in the Israeli Multi-cultural Society |
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Authors: | Ruth Katz |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Human Services and The Center for Study and Research of Aging, Faculty of Social Welfare and Health Sciences, The University of Haifa, Haifa, 31905, Israel |
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Abstract: | The study aims to illuminate the links between personal and familial resources and wellbeing of elders 65+ in three population
groups in Israel: kibbutz members, new immigrants from the former Soviet Union and Arabs—all of whom are undergoing different
types of personal, social and economic transitions. About 70 respondents in each group were interviewed regarding life satisfaction,
familial relations based on the paradigm of intergenerational family solidarity and personal resources (socio-demographic
and physical functioning). The main conclusions of this study are: the lives of the elderly immigrants are much more disruptive
by the transitional migration processes they are undergoing and this affects their well-being which was much lower than the
other two groups. Additionally they received more help from the family. Family solidarity, mainly opportunity structures and
emotional bonds were especially strong among the Arabs, with the lowest level of conflict. The Arab elderly were also different
from the other two groups in the lower level of help they provided to their adult children, probably due to their more limited
level of personal resources and the differing social expectations. The majority of respondents acknowledged some degree of
filial obligations, although much lower among kibbutz members. Personal resources (physical functioning and financial adequacy)
had the strongest effect on life satisfaction in all three groups. The dimensions of family solidarity played a less dominant
role. The discussion highlights the distinctive family culture of the three groups, the transition they face, and their differential
resources with some policy recommendations.
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Keywords: | Life satisfaction Intergenerational relations Elders Ethnicity Transitions Israel Immigrants Kibbutz Arabs |
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