LAUSR

BACKGROUND Little is known about cohort variations in the relationships between living arrangements and psychological health among older adults. The current study evaluated whether cohort differences in the intergenerational support affect the differences in the mental health benefits of multigenerational living arrangements, and how they do so. METHODS Using panel regression models with lagged variables based on South Korean data, we compared the shape of the relationships between living arrangements and psychological conditions of two cohorts of older adults. RESULTS The study found birth cohort differences in older adults' psychological well-being. Among older adults in recent cohorts, living in a multigenerational household was positively associated with depression and negatively linked with life satisfaction. The cohort variations were partly explained by children's marital status and home ownership. CONCLUSION The birth cohort variations in psychological health implications of living arrangements may reflect the changing patterns of intergenerational support and family values.