The Patterns of Intergenerational Relationships and Depressive Symptoms Among Indian Older Adults: Does Caste Status Matter As a Cultural and Socioeconomic Factor?

Background and Purpose: India is undergoing a significant demographic shift, with its aging population growing rapidly due to increased life expectancy. In this context, intergenerational family relationships—long a cornerstone of old-age care—play an increasingly vital role in supporting older adults. However, India’s entrenched caste system continues to shape social, economic, and familial structures, potentially influencing both the nature of intergenerational support and the mental health of older adults. This study investigates how patterns of intergenerational relationships are associated with depressive symptoms among Indian older adults and whether caste moderates these associations.

Methods:Using nationally representative data from the 2018 Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI), we focused on adults aged 65 and older with at least one living child (N = 19,886). Latent profile analysis (LPA) identified three distinct clusters of intergenerational relationships based on six indicators, including number of children, co-residence, and physical and financial support exchanged between generations. These patterns were categorized as: (1) Coresidence–Physical Exchanges (66.9%), involving shared living arrangements and reciprocal physical support; (2) Close–Interdependent (3.6%), characterized by high numbers of children and both giving and receiving financial and physical help; and (3) Distant–Disconnected (29.5%), marked by spatial separation and minimal support exchange.

Results: Regression analysis showed that respondents in the Distant–Disconnected group reported significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms than those in the Coresidence–Physical Exchanges group (β = 0.13, p < .05). No significant difference was found between the Close–Interdependent and Coresidence groups. These findings underscore the mental health costs associated with physical and emotional distance from adult children in later life, particularly in a cultural context where familial closeness remains a strong norm. Importantly, caste moderated these associations. While older adults from Scheduled Caste (SC) and Other Backward Class (OBC) backgrounds in the Distant–Disconnected group experienced heightened depressive symptoms, those identified as Scheduled Tribe (ST) or No/Other caste reported fewer symptoms in this group compared to those in the Coresidence–Physical Exchanges cluster. Specifically, ST (β = –0.66, p < .01) and No/Other caste (β = –0.81, p < .001) individuals in distant relationships reported lower levels of depressive symptoms. This suggests that the experience and implications of intergenerational separation are not uniform across caste groups and may be shaped by differing social expectations, coping resources, and community structures.

Conclusions and Implications:These findings highlight the importance of recognizing how both cultural norms and structural inequalities shape aging experiences in India. Interventions aimed at improving the mental health of older adults must account for both family dynamics and broader caste-related disparities. Tailored strategies are especially needed to support older adults in marginalized caste groups who may be more vulnerable to the psychological impacts of weakened intergenerational ties. As India's population continues to age, policies must address both the evolving nature of family support and the enduring influence of caste on later-life well-being.