Living arrangements of older parents in Korea

This study examines the probability of coresidence with a married child among a sample of 291 elderly Korean parents. The primary objective was to ascertain whether hypotheses derived from studies in the United States also generate support in Korea, with its very different nonnative system. Most hypotheses are supported: the most dependent elders (older, less educated, less wealthy, unmarried) are most likely to live with married children. However, unlike the situation in the United States, parental health is positively related to coresidence. In addition, holding stronger familistic norms is positively related to coresidence, but this variable does not alter the effects of dependency indicators on coresidence. Implications for cultural change in Korea are discussed.