Exchange and Life Satisfaction: Intergenerational Reciprocations in East Asia

Exchange plays a key role in affecting level of well-being. This study aims to develop a fundamental typology of exchanges across generations. By focusing on exchange of finance and household services between adult children and their parents (and parents-in-law), four types of exchanges can be identified: balanced, credited, indebted, and self-reliance. We then investigate if different types of exchange affect life satisfaction and marital satisfaction. Empirical data are drawn from the East Asian Social Survey, which allows a comparative study of Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and China.