A Research Study about the Association between Filial Piety and Perceived Hopelessness among Chinese Older Adults in Greater Chicago Area

This paper aims to examine the association between filial piety (FP) and the perceived hopelessness among Chinese aging population in the U.S. Data were drawn from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago, known as the PINE Study. Both the expectation and actual receipt of six domains of FP were measured. The perceived hopelessness was assessed by the modified 7-item Beck Hopelessness Scale. Logistic regression and linear regression models were used for data analysis. Findings showed that 45.03% study participants reported experiencing hopelessness. Also, higher receipt of FP was shown to be a protective factor against hopelessness (presence of hopelessness: OR 0.84, 0.79-0.90, p<0.001, severity of hopelessness: Estimate (SE) -0.77(0.09), p<0.001). Higher expectation of FP also mitigated the severity of hopelessness (Estimate (SE) -0.38(0.02), p<0.001). Regarding individual domains of FP, obedience was consistently associated with lower presence and severity of hopelessness in all regression models. All FP receipt domains were significantly associated with decreased odds of the presence and severity of hopelessness. In FP expectation, only the domains of care, greeting, made happy, and obedience were associated with lower severity of hopelessness. In summary, results of this study identified and illuminated: 1) the high burden of hopelessness endured by Chinese older adults, 2) receiving filial piety as a protective factor to promote hope within U.S. Chinese aging population, and 3) relevant research findings to provide reference for practice improvement.