Trends and transitions in children's coresidence with older adults in the Beijing municipality

This paper examines a) whether rates of coresidence between older adults and their adult children in the Beijing municipality of China have been declining, and b) the determinants of coresidence and coresidence transitions. The reduction in family size in China and concurrent social and economic change are raising concerns that traditional sources of support may be eroding. Associations with family size and other determinants that fit within categories of availability and need for support, and demographic characteristics, are tested. Data come from a longitudinal study conducted in Beijing municipality, including urban Beijing and rural surroundings. Results suggest very moderate declines in coresidence of the elderly with children from 1992 to 1997. Family size is modestly associated with coresidence, but other determinants are stronger. The use of time-varying covariates in multi-wave transition modeling shows that changes in some characteristics related to the need for support-for instance, functional health-lead to changes in coresidence. Implications for old-age support within an aging China are discussed.