Intergenerational Voices: Exploring the self-reported experiences of South Asian individuals living in multigenerational households

March 11th 2025 at 2:30pm-3:30pm ET

Registration for the seminar HERE

Umniyah is currently an MA candidate in the Department of Health, Aging and Society working under the supervision of Dr. Anthea Innes. Umniyah earned a HBSc from the University of Toronto with a double major in Psychology and History of Religions. Her research focuses on the impact of intergenerational relationships and social support on the emotional and psychological well-being of individuals. More specifically, she is exploring the benefits and challenges of living in South Asian multigenerational households, and how the virtue of filial piety shapes family caregiving and intergenerational solidarity when sharing the same spaces.

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The growing prevalence of multigenerational households presents unique opportunities and challenges for families. Cultural values, such as filial piety, play a crucial role in shaping these living arrangements, but there is limited research on the self-reported emotional and psychological experiences of individuals within these households, particularly in South Asian communities. In this seminar, Umniyah will share findings from a qualitative study exploring the well-being and family dynamics of South Asian individuals living in multigenerational homes.

This research explores the experiences of South Asian individuals in multigenerational households by examining the benefits and challenges of shared living arrangements, the impact of these arrangements on household and caregiving responsibilities, and its influence on faith practices and family dynamics.

The presentation will focus on preliminary results, offering insights into the experiences of participants, the role of filial piety and shared values, and the challenges of adapting to individualistic societies. Umniyah will discuss the implications of these findings for promoting the well-being and resilience of South Asian individuals in multigenerational households and fostering meaningful intergenerational connections.