Preference for family versus public care and its relationship to psychological attitudes

This research examined what determines the preference for family care versus public, in relationship to psychological attitudes. Three-hundred and thirty-one adults participated in a questionnaire survey. Structural equation modeling revealed that the awareness of family care was a significant predictor of the preference for both family and public care. From the perspective of a care-receiver, preference for family care impeded that for public care, suggesting people make selective judgments in their choice of care takers. Worries about burdening family members for care lead to preference for public care, as well as an affirmative attitude toward spending taxes on care. Those who did not feel indebtedness were not likely to recognize a caregiver's burden, perhaps because they do not feel any obligation for reciprocity, and they were not as committed toward public care. Finally, the relationships between care preference and attitude toward care policy, and the roles of psychological attitudes were discussed.