Intergenerational transfers in the era of HIV/AIDS: Evidence from rural Malawi

Abstract

Background: Intergenerational transfer patterns in sub-Saharan Africa are poorly understood, despite the alleged importance of support networks to ameliorate the complex implications of the HIV/AIDS epidemic for families.

Objective: There is a considerable need for research on intergenerational support networks and transfers to better understand the mechanisms through which extended families cope with the HIV/AIDS epidemic and potentially alleviate some of its consequences in sub-Saharan Africa, and to comprehend how transfers respond-or not-to perceptions about own and other family members' health.

Methods: Using the 2008 round of the Malawi Longitudinal Study of Families and Health (MLSFH), we estimate the age patterns and the multiple directions of financial and non-financial transfer flows in rural Malawi-from prime-aged respondents to their elderly parents and adult children age 15 and up. We also estimate the social, demographic and economic correlates of financial and non-financial transfers of financial intergenerational transfers in this context.

Results and conclusions: Our findings are that: (1) intergenerational financial and non-financial transfers are widespread and a key characteristic of family relationships in rural Malawi; (2) downward and upward transfers are importantly constrained and determined by the availability of transfer partners (parents or adult children); (3) financial net transfers are strongly age-patterned and the middle generations are net-providers of transfers; (4) non-financial transfers are based on mutual assistance rather than reallocation of resources; and (5) intergenerational transfers are generally not related to health status, including HIV positive status.

Figure 1

Children of respondents, by respondent's age and gender: Number of children ever born, living children, living young children (age < 15), living adult children (age ≥ 15), and living children of unknown age

Figure 2

Survival of respondent's parents, by respondent age and gender: Probability of mother being alive, father being alive, both parents being alive, at least one parent being alive, biological mother being alive, and biological father being alive

Figure 3

Parental health, by respondent's age and gender: Probability that mother or father is in (1) excellent health or in (2) very poor/poor/good health, conditional on mother or father being alive and in the overall sample

Figure 4

Financial and non-financial transfers to mother and father, by respondent's age and gender: Probability that respondent has given “substantial amount” of financial/non-financial transfers to mother or father, conditional on mother/father being alive (broken lines) and in the overall sample (full lines)

Figure 5

Financial and non-financial transfers from mother or father, by respondent's age and gender: Probability that respondent has received “substantial amount” of financial/non-financial transfers from mother or father, conditional on mother/father being alive (broken lines) and in the overall sample (full lines)

Figure 6

Net financial and non-financial transfers to mother or father, by respondent's age and gender, conditional on mother/father being alive (broken lines) and in the overall sample (full lines) Note: See text for the definition and calculation of net transfers.

Figure 7

Transfers to and from living adult children (LAC) (female respondents)

Figure 8

Net transfers (financial and non-financial) to living adult children (LAC)