Korean Young Adults’ Perceived Intergenerational and Digital Solidarity with Their Grandparents: Associations with Life Satisfaction During the COVID-19 Pandemic

We aimed to discover young adults’ perceived intergenerational and digital solidarity patterns with grandparents and their life satisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea. Data collection was conducted from April to June 2022 in the Seoul-Incheon-Gyeonggi metropolitan area. The sample was 261 young adults who reported solidarity with their living grandmothers and 161 young adults who reported solidarity with their living grandfathers. The latent profile analysis indicated three profiles for grandmother–young adult and grandfather–young adult groups: tight-knit and digitally connected, detached, and sociable. Results showed that the sociable profile was predominant, suggesting emotionally connected relationships but lower instrumental support between Korean young adults and their grandparents. In addition, young adults in the tight-knit and digitally connected profile reported higher life satisfaction compared to detached and sociable profiles. The study highlights the significance of strong intergenerational connections in enhancing young adults’ well-being during challenging times such as COVID-19.