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Background <p>China’s One-Child Policy created only-child daughters solely responsible for aging parents. For those abroad, caregiving is further complicated by distance, immigration rules, and cultural expectations. Little is known about how these women manage cross-border caregiving.</p> Objectives <p>This study examines the experiences of only-child Chinese daughters in the United States as they care for aging parents across borders.</p> Methods <p>Guided by the Meaning-Making Model, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 60 married, only-child daughters aged 30–45. Each had provided remote care for at least one year. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.</p> Results <p>Three central findings emerged. First, caregivers redefined what it means to be present, capable, and filial, compensating for physical distance with increased attentiveness, emotional availability, and reciprocal support. Second, these women experienced and managed conflicting emotions, balancing their personal goals with deeply held filial expectations. Third, uncertainty and anticipatory grief strongly influenced their decisions on traveling, career advancement, citizenship choices, and care arrangements, highlighting how planning for future needs is an ongoing, emotionally charged process.</p> Conclusions <p>Transnational caregiving among only-child Chinese daughters is both emotionally complex and shaped by cultural expectations. This study introduces <i>anticipatory caregiving</i> to describe the future-oriented emotional and logistical work that defines long-distance care. These insights show that transnational caregiving is not just a set of tasks. It is a unique psychological and cultural experience that demands new, tailored support.</p>

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The lived experiences of female only-child caregivers in transnational settings

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月25日

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  • Zihan Dang,
  • Charles E Basch

摘要

Background

China’s One-Child Policy created only-child daughters solely responsible for aging parents. For those abroad, caregiving is further complicated by distance, immigration rules, and cultural expectations. Little is known about how these women manage cross-border caregiving.

Objectives

This study examines the experiences of only-child Chinese daughters in the United States as they care for aging parents across borders.

Methods

Guided by the Meaning-Making Model, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 60 married, only-child daughters aged 30–45. Each had provided remote care for at least one year. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

Three central findings emerged. First, caregivers redefined what it means to be present, capable, and filial, compensating for physical distance with increased attentiveness, emotional availability, and reciprocal support. Second, these women experienced and managed conflicting emotions, balancing their personal goals with deeply held filial expectations. Third, uncertainty and anticipatory grief strongly influenced their decisions on traveling, career advancement, citizenship choices, and care arrangements, highlighting how planning for future needs is an ongoing, emotionally charged process.

Conclusions

Transnational caregiving among only-child Chinese daughters is both emotionally complex and shaped by cultural expectations. This study introduces anticipatory caregiving to describe the future-oriented emotional and logistical work that defines long-distance care. These insights show that transnational caregiving is not just a set of tasks. It is a unique psychological and cultural experience that demands new, tailored support.