A multilevel analysis of the impact of transitioning to grandparenthood on individuals’ depression in England, Europe and China

Abstract

Objectives:The impact of grandparenting on depression is mediated by both macro-and micro-level factors, however, their combined examination between different country contexts is relatively rare. This study examined whether country level income and grandparents' gender influenced the relationship between the transition to grandparenthood and individuals' depression across England, Europe and China. Methods: Multi-level linear regression analyses with restricted maximum likelihood estimation were performed covering 15 countries from the ELSA, the SHARE and the CHARLS 2010-15 in order to understand cross-country differences in this area. Results: This study found significant cross-national variations in the effects of transitioning to grandparenthood on individuals' depression. Transitioning to grandparenthood reduced the depression score among both men and women in lower income countries, but increased it in higher income countries. Moreover, the gender gap in the effects of becoming a grandparent on one's depression was wider in lower income countries than higher income countries. Conclusions: Policymakers should pay attention to the support grandparents need, and systematically integrate childcare provided by grandparents into family policies. Policies supporting older people should take into account the way in which macro-level and micro-level factors combine to affect grandparents' well-being.

Does the transition to grandparenthood influence the health and well-being of older people? Evidence from the CHARLS study in China

“…Informed by prior studies ( Di Gessa et al, 2019 ; Lai et al, 2021 ; Sheppard & Monden, 2019 ; Tanskanen et al, 2019 ; Yang, 2021 ), we included a wide range of physical as well as psychological and mental health and well-being outcomes: activities of daily living (ADLs), instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), life satisfaction, and depressive symptoms.…”

“…Transitioning to grandparenthood also has major personal and social implications in East Asia and Southeast Asia ( Mehta & Thang, 2011 ) where a voluminous body of literature has explored the health impact of caregiving to grandchildren under age 16. Although this strand of literature continues to grow ( Silverstein & Zuo, 2021 ), in contrast, there is only a handful of empirical research on the health impact of the transition to grandparenthood tied to these contexts ( Lai et al, 2021 ; Yang, 2021 ; Zhang et al, 2021 ). Similarly, these few studies focus on psychological and mental well-being outcomes, but little is known about first-time grandparents’ physical health.…”

“…However, expectant grandparents may not report better health after the arrival of the grandchild. Using the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), research shows that transitioning to grandparenthood is associated with reduced depression ( Yang, 2021 ) but has no effect on loneliness ( Zhang et al, 2021 ).…”

“…We identified several important gaps in the literature. First, few studies have examined the impact of the transition to grandparenthood on physical health and functioning given the predominant focus on psychological and mental well-being ( Di Gessa et al, 2019 ; Sheppard & Monden, 2019 ; Tanskanen et al, 2019 ; Yang, 2021 ). Second, grandparents' interaction with a new born grandchild (through co-residence and/or babysitting) is critical for understanding the impact of this transition on well-being, yet few studies have examined the birth of a first grandchild together with co-residence and grandchild care ( Sheppard & Monden, 2019 ).…”

“…Last, we aim to use advanced panel data methods to better identify the effect of a first-born grandchild on older adults' health and well-being. While many studies find that people who transition to grandparenthood have better health and well-being outcomes than those who do not ( Di Gessa et al, 2019 ; Yang, 2021 ), these studies are prone to bias from unmeasured confounding or reverse causality. For example, older people in worse health may be less likely to become grandparents or to provide grandparental childcare ( Rutigliano, 2020 ), leading to spurious relationships.…”