Grandchild care and life satisfaction of older adults: Empirical evidence from China

The Time Divide: Daily Activity Patterns of Midlife and Older Adults in China

This study employs a holistic, cluster-based approach to comprehensively examine how daily activity patterns in mid- and later life vary by urban or rural residence and between men and women in China. Employing national time use data, activity patterns and variations by residence and gender were analyzed through sequence analysis, hierarchical clustering, and multinomial logistic regression models. It reveals six activity patterns among urban Chinese individuals, while their rural counterparts exhibit a similar yet distinct set of patterns, highlighting the structural characteristics of time and emphasizing the contrasting differences between rural and urban contexts. Moreover, this study uncovers notable gender disparities, with men more likely to be in paid labor and leisure-oriented clusters, while women tend towards clusters characterized by childcare and household responsibilities. This research provides a time-based perspective that contributes to understanding social stratification in China by examining the structural and heterogeneous nature of daily activities.

Activating the souls of the older adults: insights into the psychological well-being of older adults through social interactions in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area

Background/objectives

Addressing the challenges faced by the older adults in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GHMGBA) in terms of mental health and enhancing their well-being is pivotal for achieving the goals of cultural integration and intercity connectivity.

Methods

This study, grounded in social exchange theory, conducted an analysis using survey data collected from 6,500 older adults individuals in the Greater Bay Area (GBA). By constructing regression models, the research explores the impact of social interaction on the mental health of older adults individuals in the GBA.

Results

The findings reveal that any form of social interaction among the older adults in the GBA significantly improves their mental health. However, the promotional effects vary significantly across different regions. In comparison to Guangdong, the impact of social interaction on the mental health of older adults individuals is more pronounced in Macao and Hong Kong. Notably, there is no significant difference in the impact of older adults social interaction on mental health between Hong Kong and Macao. Furthermore, the study identifies that intergenerational support plays an intermediary role in the social interactions and mental health of older adults individuals in the GBA.

Conclusion

In the GBA should strengthen support for the social interaction of the older adults, promote communication among family members, and increase opportunities for the older adults to engage in social interactions. Future aging policies in the GBA should actively encourage downward intergenerational support, and intensify the exchange of intergenerational support.

Grandparenting and life satisfaction of the aged in rural areas: A study in Kalia Upazila of Narail District

In rural Bangladesh, older adults generally enjoy their role as grandparents and spend their leisure and inactive periods (non-involvement in income-generating activities) with their grandchildren. The life satisfaction of the older adults partly lies in their role-playing as grandparents. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of caring for grandchildren on the life satisfaction of the older adults in rural areas. A survey method was used to conduct the study, and the age of the participants was 60 years and above. Four Mohollas of Kalia Upazilla of Narail district were selected purposively, and 253 older adults (123 male & 130 female) were chosen by using a purposive sampling technique. An interview schedule (containing both open and close-ended questions) was used to collect data in the months of November and December 2018. The findings showed that activities with grandchildren and caregiving roles depended on the age structure, and families with more household income were found to enhance the life satisfaction with grandparenting. There was a significant association between the life satisfaction of older adults and their grandparenting role. By identifying some dimensions of family involvement and socio-demographic conditions, this research aims to provide a deeper understanding of the dynamics of how grandparenting impacts the life satisfaction of older adults in rural areas of Bangladesh. The results might help to minimize the shortfalls of policy regarding the well-being of the older adults by focusing on their social and psychological needs. This will ensure aging is in place for everyone.

The effects of sleep quality on loneliness among older adults: cohort analysis from the life course perspective

BACKGROUND

Using cohort analysis to examine the effects of sleep quality on loneliness among older adults from the life course perspective.

METHODS

The hierarchical age-period-cohort growth curve model was used to analyze the data from the 2005-2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS).

RESULTS

(1) Loneliness has a 'U' curve relationship with age, but with the rate of increase gradually slowing down. (2) There were significant differences in loneliness across birth cohorts, with younger cohorts having higher predicted loneliness than older cohorts at the same age. (3) The influence of different sleep quality on loneliness showed a trend of increasing with age. (4) There were no significant differences in the impact of sleep quality on loneliness in different cohorts.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has identified heterogeneity in loneliness, emphasising the need for a diversified intervention approach. Sleep quality has a protective effect on loneliness and is easy to assess, making it an important intervention tool. In addition, it is imperative to account for the influences of age and cohort effects when formulating intervention strategies.

Revisiting the association between grandparenting and mental health in China: New evidence from the harmonized CHARLS

BACKGROUND

In the context of the global aging challenge, an increasing number of middle-aged and older adults (MAOAs) are engaging in grandparenting. However, the effect of grandparenting on the mental health of caregivers has shown inconsistent findings. To effectively promote healthy aging, it is imperative to adopt a comprehensive perspective and employ a rigorous approach to further investigate the relationship between these two social phenomena.

METHODS

The data from the Harmonized China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were analyzed, focusing on MAOAs with at least one grandchild. Mental health assessments used the center for epidemiologic studies depression scale scale. The study employed a series of difference-in-differences (DID) models, especially complemented by propensity score matching, to evaluate the average treatment effect for the treated (ATT) on mental health of caregivers, considering covariates like personal and family characteristics. The intervention perspective includes both the provision and cessation of grandparenting.

RESULTS

The study found that providing grandchildren care does not have a significant effect on the mental health of grandparents, in comparison to those who have never engaged in such care (ATT = -0.172, T = 0.65, p = 0.517 in the PSM-DID model). Furthermore, ceasing this care also appears to have no substantial effect on the mental health of the caregivers, relative to individuals who have consistently offered grandchildren care (ATT = 0.060, T = 0.26, p = 0.795 in the PSM-DID model). Furthermore, subsequent robustness analyses consistently supported these findings, even when considering data from different survey waves.

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to many prior studies that have reported either positive or negative effects, our research reveals that grandparenting exerts no significant effect on the mental health of MAOAs. Consequently, health practitioners and policymakers should carefully consider the diverse cultural context when tailoring interventions and support strategies.

The impact of grandparenting on mental health among rural middle-aged and older adults in China: exploring the role of children's support

Objectives

In the rural regions of China, characterized by a pronounced aging demographic and limited resources, a substantial proportion of middle-aged and older adults engage in grandparenting roles. Yet, the literature lacks consistent evidence regarding the effects of grandparenting on the mental health of this cohort. Accordingly, this study aimed to explore the impact of grandparenting on the mental health of rural middle-aged and older adults, as well as the underlying mechanisms.

Methods

This analysis encompassed 10,881 middle-aged and older adults, utilizing data from the 2018 Harmonized China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). The mental health of participants was assessed using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression-10 (CESD-10) scale, while support from children was categorized into financial and emotional types. The study employed logistic and OLS regression models to identify the mediating role of child support and utilized the Karlson-Holm-Breen (KHB) method for decomposing this mediating effect.

Results

The findings demonstrated that grandparenting had a significant negative impact on depression among rural middle-aged and older adults. Furthermore, children's support played a vital role in mediating this relationship, accounting for approximately one-third of the overall influence. Moreover, the decomposition analysis revealed that both emotional and economic support from adult children equally contributed to the declination of depression among rural middle-aged and older adults.

Conclusion

Grandparenting significantly enhances mental well-being in rural middle-aged and older adults, with the support from adult children serving as a vital pathway for this positive impact. Both economic and emotional assistance from children hold equal importance in this dynamic. It underscores the necessity of fortifying the family support system to amplify the support provided by children, which in turn could significantly enhance the mental health of rural middle-aged and older adults.

Children-related factors associated with life satisfaction of urban older adults living alone in China

Introduction

The aim of this study is to investigate the association between the number of children, their gender structure, and the gender of children by birth order with the life satisfaction of urban older adults living alone (UOALA) in five Chinese cities. Traditional reproductive views suggest that having more children, especially sons, is associated with higher life satisfaction for older adults.

Methods

This study utilized a cross-sectional design and included a sample of 2,801 UOALA from five Chinese cities. The life satisfaction of participants was measured using standardized questionnaires. To analyze the data, both OLS and OLogit methods were employed.

Results

Empirical research shows that the number of children has a positive association with life satisfaction of UOALA, which is greater in male older adults than in female ones. The increase in the number of daughters is significantly associated with higher life satisfaction. In terms of gender structure, UOALA with multiple children, including both sons and daughters, tend to have a higher level of life satisfaction, which partly validates the cohort reproductive preference. In terms of gender of children by birth order, UOALA whose first child is a daughter have higher life satisfaction, which is more pronounced among male UOALA, while the association of gender of children by birth order on female UOALA is relatively weak.

Discussion

This study contributes to the understanding of the factors associated with the life satisfaction of UOALA in China. The findings suggest that having more children, particularly daughters, and a balanced gender structure of children is associated with higher levels of life satisfaction. The study suggests the need for targeted social support for UOALA with varying family structures.

Impacts of grandparenting on older Chinese adults' mental health: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The practice of grandparenting has been growing in popularity worldwide, particularly in Asian societies. Nevertheless, there is a lack of thorough studies investigating the mental health effects of grandchild care on grandparents, particularly within the family context. The present study aimed to explore the impact of grandparenting on depressive symptoms in older Chinese adults, taking into account the functional role of intergenerational support.

METHODS

Using the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS, 2014 and 2018, N = 9,486), we employed the Pooled Ordinary Least Square method (POLS) to explore the association between depressive symptoms and grandparenting intensity as well as include the interaction terms to investigate the role of intergenerational support among grandparents aged from 60 to 80.

RESULTS

After adjusting for control variables, both non-intensive (-0.17; 95% CI: -0.30, -0.03) and intensive (-0.69; 95% CI: -0.95, -0.43) childcare, as well as giving financial support to adult children (-0.06; 95% CI: -0.08, -0.04) and emotional closeness with them (-0.94; 95% CI: -1.15, -0.72), were found to have a positive impact on the mental health of grandparents. Giving financial support (non-intensive: -0.04, 95% CI: -0.07, -0.01; intensive: -0.06, 95% CI: -0.13, -0.01) and providing instrumental support to adult children (non-intensive: -0.12, 95% CI: -0.24, -0.01; intensive: -0.19, 95% CI: -0.37, -0.02) moderated the association between grandparenting and the mental health of older adults, regardless of care intensity. However, the moderating role of receiving financial support (-0.07; 95% CI: -0.12, -0.02) only existed when non-intensive childcare was provided.

CONCLUSION

Grandchild care predicted better mental health in grandparents, mainly when they engaged in intensive grandparenting. Emotional closeness and providing financial support to adult children brought mental health benefits to grandparents involved in childcare. Giving financial support and providing instrumental support to adult children moderated the association between grandparenting and the mental health of older adults. However, the moderating role of receiving financial support from adult children only existed when non-intensive childcare was provided.