The Influence of Adult Children’s Marital Dissolution on Parental Frailty in Korea: A Longitudinal Study

While numerous studies have explored the risk factors for frailty, research on the intergenerational impact of familial events, particularly adult children's marital dissolution, remains scarce. This study examined whether adult children's marital dissolution is associated with an increased risk of parental frailty transition within the Korean Confucian cultural context. This longitudinal study analyzed data from 7,588 participants in the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA; waves 1–8, 2006–2020). Frailty transition was assessed using a three-component index (handgrip weakness, exhaustion, and social isolation). Lagged generalized estimating equations (GEE) analyses were used to examine the association between adult children's marital dissolution and subsequent parental frailty transition. Adult children's marital dissolution was significantly associated with an increased risk of parental frailty transition (odds ratio [OR] = 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.21–1.51). This association was more pronounced among older adults with lower socioeconomic status. Sensitivity analyses using alternative definitions of marital dissolution confirmed the robustness of the findings. Life events experienced by adult children substantially affect parental health, underscoring the importance of incorporating intergenerational family factors into comprehensive frailty assessments. Further research is warranted to explore how intergenerational dynamics can inform the development of effective preventive strategies and interventions for frailty.