UNAIR NEWS – The Faculty of Psychology Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) recently organized a guest lecture featuring Lathifah Hanum, M.Psi., Psychologist, and Ph.D. Candidate at the University of Queensland on Thursday, March 20, 2025. The lecture delved into her research, Intergenerational Co-residence Through the Eyes of Older Adults and Their Children: A Qualitative Approach, which explores the factors influencing elderly parents’ decisions to live with their children.
During her presentation, Hanum underscored kinship structures and marital status as primary determinants in shaping the quality of relationships between elderly parents and their family members. However, she noted that other factors also play a crucial role, including health conditions, adaptability, financial stability, family size, and parental support.
“The decision for elderly parents to live with their children is not merely a financial one but is also shaped by social norms, particularly the expectation that children care for their aging parents,” she explained.
Refining research metrics
Hanum pointed out that her study identified overlaps in certain measurement criteria, necessitating a refinement of subscales to enhance analytical accuracy. The key areas revised included children’s responsibility toward parents, financial dependence, emotional bonds, health status, and marital status.
“This research aims to group interrelated variables to create a sharper and more precise analysis,” she stated.
Diverging perspectives between generations
Her study further revealed significant differences in how elderly parents and their adult children perceive the decision to co-reside. From the perspective of adult children, the key considerations are their relationship with parents, financial stability, health conditions, and marital status.
In contrast, elderly parents view kinship structures as a more complex factor, involving emotional and financial support from their children, extended family ties, and logistical considerations such as health and living arrangements.
“Older adults do not only consider their own well-being but also weigh the impact of co-residence on their children’s lives before making a decision,” Hanum added.
Qualitative research significance
Beyond discussing her findings, Hanum emphasized the importance of qualitative research methods in examining social phenomena. She explained that qualitative research is not merely a methodology but a mindset that shapes the way data is interpreted. Additionally, she highlighted that a researcher’s background significantly influences qualitative analysis.
“Our identities shape how we interpret data, which is why it is essential for researchers to be mindful of their biases and personal perspectives throughout the research process,” she noted.
She also stressed the value of engaging in discussions with mentors and peers to gain diverse insights and emphasized the need for mental resilience when analyzing emotionally complex data may resonate with personal experiences.
The guest lecture provided UNAIR Psychology students with valuable insights into intergenerational co-residence research and underscored the crucial role of qualitative methods in understanding social dynamics.
“I hope this session helps students gain a deeper understanding of how social and psychological factors influence family co-residence decisions and enables them to apply qualitative research methods more effectively in the future,” she concluded.
Author: Nafiesa Zahra
Editor: Khefti Al Mawalia
