Elderly Residents' Perspectives on Filial Piety and Institutionalization in Shanghai

The purpose of this study is to understand elder Chinese residents' decision-making processes around institutionalization and the concept of filial piety during this process. This qualitative study entailed 11 semistructured interviews with elderly residents in an institution in Shanghai. Results show that negotiations occurred between generations about coping with family caregiving crises prior to institutionalization and residents' acceptance of changing caregiving patterns. Elder parents display a more reciprocal understanding, and their children prefer culturally approved caregiving pattern changes. Results reveal that urbanization may socially and culturally reconstruct the concept of filial piety. More information from both generations is needed.