Life Satisfaction and Intergenerational Mobility Among Older Hispanics in the United States.

TitleLife Satisfaction and Intergenerational Mobility Among Older Hispanics in the United States.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of PublicationForthcoming
AuthorsSurmeier, LRamirez, Taylor, MG, Carr, DC
JournalJournal of Aging and Health
ISSN Number1552-6887
KeywordsHispanics, intergenerational mobility, Life Satisfaction
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the impact of intergenerational mobility-measured as the difference between one's own and one's father's education level-on overall life-satisfaction among Hispanic, White, and Black older Americans.

METHODS: Data from the Health and Retirement Study were used to estimate life satisfaction by race/ethnicity using ordinary least squares regression (N = 5,057).

RESULTS: Hispanic and Black older Americans report greater educational gains relative to their fathers compared to Whites. Despite having the lowest reported education levels, Hispanics report the highest life satisfaction across race/ethnic groups. However, net of education level and other factors, intergenerational mobility decreased rather than increased life satisfaction for Hispanic older Americans.

DISCUSSION: These results indicate that intergenerational mobility may not confer equal benefits for overall life satisfaction across racial/ethnic groups. As Hispanic individuals continue to achieve higher education levels, it is unclear whether upward mobility will translate to positive or negative assimilation consequences.

DOI10.1177/08982643221100788
Citation Key12422
PubMed ID35532214