How We Live: Characteristics of Multigenerational Households among Asian Americans (2006-2018)

Abstract

Introduction: Household structure is an important social determinant of health. Asian Americans are the race/ethnic group most likely to live in multigenerational households, but little is known about which characteristics are associated with living in a multigenerational household among Asian Americans as a whole or as disaggregated subgroups.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design using National Health Interview Survey data (2006-2018) was conducted to compare the characteristics associated with living in a multigenerational household among Asian Americans compared to non-Hispanic Whites. The sample included 572,783 adults: 515,420 non-Hispanic Whites, 11,113 Asian Indians, 11,864 Chinese, 13,000 Filipino, and 21,386 other Asians. Binary logistic regression to examine how living in multigenerational households (outcome) was associated with race and sociodemographic characteristics among the entire population and by race/ethnic subgroup

Results: Approximately 15% of the study population (12.4% and 24% of non-Hispanic Whites and Asians, respectively) lived in multigenerational households. Filipinos had the highest (30.5%) and Asian Indians had the lowest (19.5%) proportion of people living in multigenerational households. Aggregated Asians had twice the odds compared to non-Hispanic Whites of living in multigenerational households (OR = 2.32, 95% CI: [2.17–2.49]). Foreign-born Asian Indians compared to US-born Asian Indians were less likely (OR = 0.67, 95% CI: [0.51–0.87]) to live in a multigenerational household. Foreign-born Filipinos compared to US-born Filipinos had twice the odds (OR = 2.04, 95% CI: [1.72–2.42]) of living in multigenerational households.

Conclusion: Asian Americans are more likely to live in multigenerational households compared to non-Hispanic Whites although proportions vary by Asian subgroups. Characteristics associated with living in a multigenerational household vary. Understanding the characteristics of multigenerational households in Asian Americans can inform public health practice.