The Impact of Grandparent-Grandchild Interaction on the Imagination of Aging among Chinese Youth Groups

Against the backdrop of accelerated population aging in China, young people’s perceptions of aging profoundly shape societal acceptance of aging. This study investigates how grandparent-grandchild interactions influence Chinese youths’ aging imagination, with a focus on the chain-mediating roles of intergenerational relationships and filial piety. Through a survey of 778 Chinese youths (aged 18-35) and Bootstrap mediation analysis, results reveal that both daily communication and ritualistic communication with grandparents significantly enhance positive aging imagination, with daily interaction exhibiting a stronger effect. Intergenerational relationships mediate these associations , suggesting that emotional closeness fosters youths’constructive views on aging. Filial piety independently mediates the relationships , highlighting the enduring influence of cultural values. Moreover, the chain mediation of intergenerational relationships and filial piety demonstrates a synergistic mechanism where emotional bonds and cultural norms jointly shape aging perceptions. These findings underscore the importance of fostering daily interactions, reinforcing family rituals, and integrating cultural education to mitigate negative aging stereotypes among youth.