No. 71, Journal of Population Studies Published: 2025.12
Contents
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Research Articles
DOI : 10.6191/JPS.202512_(71).0001
Taiwan-Chinese immigrants, filial piety values, transnational caregiving, Australia, national health policies
Abstract
While continuing to reside abroad, immigrants often choose to
travel frequently between host and home countries in order to care for
their parents at both ends, reflecting the cultural values held by Chinese
families. This study draws on field data collected through interviews with
Taiwan-Chinese immigrants in two Australian cities in 2015. Employing a
mixed-methods approach, the research compiles participants’ narratives to
address two key issues: the values of filial piety and caregiving practices,
and the effectiveness of care provided by siblings living at home and
abroad. The findings elucidate who provides care for older parents in
transnational families and the strategies adult children develop to fulfill
their responsibilities. Although participants view this commitment as a way
to set an example for their children, they recognize that expecting future
generations to uphold the same practices may be unrealistic, given ongoing
social and economic changes. The findings point to the importance of
developing appropriate healthcare policies in both origin and destination
countries, as well as supporting younger generations in adapting to evolving
caregiving roles.
Keywords: transnational mobility, cultural capital, identity reconfiguration,gendered migration, early childhood educators
Keywords: transnational mobility, cultural capital, identity reconfiguration,gendered migration, early childhood educators
DOI : 10.6191/JPS.202512_(71).0002
productive aging, active aging, life course, holistic approach, GBTM
Abstract
Given Taiwan’s aging population, promoting active aging and
increasing older adults’ participation in productive activities have gained
widespread attention. While most previous studies have focused on older
adults’ engagement in a single type of productive activity or on the
interrelationships between two types, participation in productive activities
often spans multiple areas and is interconnected across various domains
throughout the aging process. Adopting a holistic and life-course approach,
this study investigates the long-term dynamics of older adults’ engagement
across three domains: work, caregiving, and social activities. Using data
from the Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging (1996-2019), this study
employs group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM) to analyze, over a 16-
year period, the participation trajectories of cohorts born between 1938-
1945 and 1946-1953 across six types of productive activities: employment,
homemaking, childcare assistance, daily care provision, volunteering, and
community participation. The analysis identifies four distinct trajectories of
productive activity participation. Among these, Homemakers demonstrate a
role continuity pattern, with activity arrangements centered on familyrelated
responsibilities. Disengaged Agers align with disengagement theory,
gradually withdrawing from various forms of social participation with
age. Active Retirees and Productive Engagers correspond more closely
to role substitution patterns. Although engagement in paid work declined
with aging, the former transitions from the breadwinner role to diversified
social participation, while the latter balances family caregiving with social
service. The results indicate that although activity participation trajectories
exhibit gender differences, both men and women can adopt active patterns
of engagement. However, a lack of childcare resources, financial insecurity,
and traditional value orientations may act as barriers. The study suggests
that policies promoting older adults’ participation in productive activities
should focus on strengthening economic and caregiving support and
reshaping social values toward aging and productivity.
Keywords: productive aging, active aging, life course, holistic approach, GBTM
Keywords: productive aging, active aging, life course, holistic approach, GBTM
DOI : 10.6191/JPS.202512_(71).0003
self-employment, earnings, self-rated health, Panel Study of Family Dynamics (PSFD)
Abstract
This article examines the determinants of entry into self-employment
and its effects on earnings and self-rated health. Prior research suggests
that self-employment may generate both objective and subjective returns,
although these vary across social contexts. Using data from the panel study
of family dynamics (PSFD), including the RI2003, RI2009, and RI2016
cohorts with follow-up surveys through 2022, this study uses generalized
estimating equations (GEE). The results show that determinants differ across
cohorts, with gender and family background playing a particularly important
role in the RI2003 cohort. In contrast, the effects of self-employment are
consistent across cohorts: it is associated with lower earnings but better selfrated
health. These findings suggest that self-employment provides nonpecuniary
benefits beyond economic returns.
Keywords: self-employment, earnings, self-rated health, Panel Study of Family Dynamics (PSFD)
Keywords: self-employment, earnings, self-rated health, Panel Study of Family Dynamics (PSFD)
