Managing social support needs in older age for childless Malaysians living in poverty
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2021
Abstract
Objective To explore how older people manage social support needs when they are childless and living in poverty in the Malaysian context where social policy emphasises family as the primary provider of social support. Methods Semi-structured interviews were completed with a purposive sample of 34 childless and older Malaysians living in poverty in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A thematic content analysis focused on their reports of managing social support needs. Results Key strategies were using existing resources, developing new networks and adjusting expectations. Agency played a vital role in avoiding institutional care. Conclusions This paper adds to research on childlessness in older age in varied policy and cultural contexts. It challenges assumptions about families providing social support and argues for policies to recognise older people as an individual unit rather than as part of a family to prolong independent living in the community.
Keywords
Childlessness, Older people, Social support
Divisions
Faculty_of_Business_and_Accountancy
Funders
Ministry of Education, Malaysia,Universiti Malaya
Publication Title
Australasian Journal on Ageing
Volume
40
Issue
4
Publisher
Wiley
Publisher Location
111 RIVER ST, HOBOKEN 07030-5774, NJ USA