Parent-Child Relationship Satisfaction and Filial Piety: The Role of Adult Children's Gender

This study examines associations relevant to social work practice between adult-child caregivers' satisfaction with the parent-child relationship and two dimensions of filial piety-pragmatic obligation and compassionate reverence-with caregiver gender as a moderator. As population aging increases reliance on adult-child caregivers (i.e., adult caregivers providing care to their parents), filial piety offers a valuable lens for understanding caregiving motivations, yet limited research has explored how relationship satisfaction and gender interact to shape it. A convenience sample of 387 Israeli caregivers aged 40 and older completed an online questionnaire. Moderation analyses tested gender differences. Women reported higher levels of both filial piety dimensions. In both genders, greater relationship satisfaction was associated with higher pragmatic obligation and compassionate reverence, but these associations were stronger among men. Findings are interpreted through intergenerational solidarity theory and gender role theory, highlighting gendered differences in motivations: Among men, filial piety tends to reflect relational quality, while among women, it appears more rooted in internalized norms. Results emphasize the need for gender-sensitive support in social work. Interventions should address men's emotional foundations of filial piety and women's internalized caregiving norms to strengthen caregiver well-being and promote sustainable family care.