Trajectories of Intergenerational Transfers from Grandchildren to Middle-Generation Parents following Grandparental Death: Longitudinal Evidence from Multigenerational Relationships in South Korea

Sujeong Park , Korea University
Jinho Kim, Korea University

Despite extensive research on the role of grandparents in multigenerational relationships, little is known about whether the death of a grandparent is associated with intergenerational transfer from adult children to middle-generation parents. This study examines: (a) the trajectories of upward financial transfer before and after the loss of a grandparent and (b) whether these trajectories differ based on the gender of adult children. Using eight waves of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing (KLoSA), this study employs fixed effects models to mitigate potential bias due to unobserved individual-level heterogeneity. The results indicate that upward financial transfers from adult children increase within the first year before the loss of a grandparent and persist beyond the third year of the loss. The trajectories of transfer varied by the gender composition of adult children. Middle-generation parents with both sons and daughters experienced an increase in financial transfers for over two years following the death of an older parent. Similarly, those with only sons received financial support from their children within the first year after the occurrence and remained statistically significant after two years. However, no significant changes in financial transfer were observed for those with only daughters before and after the loss. This study indicates that adult children, especially sons, play a crucial role in providing intergenerational financial transfer to middle-generation parents during the bereavement of a grandparent. This assistance can help them cope with the challenges of loss and enhance family cohesion.

See extended abstract

 Presented in Session 94. Intergenerational Relations and Transfers