Frequency of Interaction Between Older Person and Adult Children in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia

Abstract

Today population ageing, a term used to refer to the increasing number of older persons in a population structure, has been well recognized not only in developed but also in some of developing countries as well. One of the important issues in population aging is regarding the issues of social interaction between older persons with their adult children. The present paper present the result of a cross-sectional survey conducted in rural Malaysia, to investigate the frequency and the perceive importance of interaction of older persons with their adult children who live out of their village. More specifically, the present paper analyzes (1), some demographic and socioeconomic profiles of older persons in rural Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia; (2), monthly income of older people in rural Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia; (3), the availability of interaction between older persons and their adult children; and (4), level of interaction satisfaction between older persons and their adult children in rural Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. This study was conducted in Port Dickson district, one of the rural areas in the state of Negeri Sembilan. This paper is basically employed a descriptive research design. It is used when a researcher seeks a better understanding and measure how variables are naturally distributed. Data for the study were collected through structured and unstructured interviews with research participants, coupled with observations on their daily lives. Data were analyzed using descriptive and thematic approach. Results of the study revealed that (1), older persons are young old, aged between 69 or below. 52 of them reported as having secondary school certificate, or above, not working and still married; (2), there is substantial variation in their monthly income. Only 49 of them have a monthly income of more than RM870, above poverty level as has been used in Malaysia; (3), most of older persons have children living out of village; (4), older persons are always interact with their adult children, and (5), most of older persons are satisfied with the interaction between them and their adult children. To conclude, older persons in rural Malaysia are not neglected and children are important parts of the life of older person in rural society.

Keywords: population ageing; older persons; rural areas; social relationships; well-being