Attitudes towards filial responsibility in a traditional vs. modern culture: A comparison between three generations of Arabs in the Israeli society

Purpose The purpose of the current study was to investigate possible differences in the attitudes towards filial responsibility and perceptions of self-efficacy among members of three generations of Arab families living in Israel. Method Participants were seventy-four (74) Arab students, their parents and their grandparents. Research instruments consisted of a self-report questionnaire, which revealed demographic information, a questionnaire on attitudes regarding filial responsibility, and a questionnaire assessing self-efficacy, self-esteem and sense of mastery. The subjects were asked to answer the question: What are the best three things a son or a daughter can do for their elderly parent? Only members from the youngest generation included advance technology/instrumental tools in their answers (long distance relations using Skype program, mobile phones etc.). Results & Discussion The attitudes towards and perceptions of filial responsibility were the most positive among the youngest generation (undergraduate students, p<0.001). t Tests demonstrated that women’s attitudes towards and perceptions of filial responsibility were more positive than those of men. Members of the middle (sandwich) generation reported higher scores of levels of sense of mastery (p<0.05) than did members of the other generations. A significant and strong positive correlation was found between positive attitudes towards filial responsibility and participants’ degree of religiosity, and a significant correlation of medium strength was found between perception of self-efficacy and participants’ report of subjective health. Moreover, technology is one of the useful ways to keep the intergenerational relations on line and on a regular daily use. Attitudes towards filial responsibility may have significant impact on the motivation of purchase and use of gerontechnology products and services.