Elders quality of life and intergenerational relations: A cross-national comparison

The intergenerational solidarity model of Bengtson and others was used as the conceptual framework for studying the links between the different dimensions of solidarity and quality of life of elders (75+) in a comparative perspective. The presented results are part of the cross-national project OASIS where a random sample of n=6,000 (age 25 and older) from five countries (Norway, England, Germany, Spain, and Israel, n= 1,200 per country) was interviewed with a standardized survey instrument. Comparative descriptive analyses and multivariate models are presented. The data revealed that basically family solidarity is still central in all the five countries, although there are variations in the strengths of the various dimensions between the countries that might reflect national and cultural idiosyncrasies in family cultures and behavioral patterns, and social policy traditions. However, personal resources (education, health, level of functioning, financial situation), that relate to basic needs, were perceived as more important for the quality of life of the elderly than family solidarity.