Benefits of Grandparental Caregiving in Chinese Older Adults: Reduced Lonely Dissatisfaction as a Mediator

Abstract

The purpose of the present study is twofold: (1) to investigate the differences in terms of physical and mental health between those who provide grandparental care and those who do not and (2) to explore the mechanism that connects grandparental caregiving and health-related outcomes. Methods: Two studies (a cross-sectional and a short-term longitudinal follow-up) were conducted. The cross-sectional study (Study 1) examined 148 older adults who provided grandparental care and another 150 older adults who did not. A small longitudinal follow-up study (Study 2) was conducted among 102 older adults randomly selected from Study 1, of which 52 were older adults who provided grandparental care, and another 50 older adults were those who did not. Health status (measured by SF-36), lonely dissatisfaction (measured by Lonely Dissatisfaction Subscale of PGC-MS), and cognitive functions (measured by subscales of WAIS) as well as demographics were measured in both studies. Results: Results of both the cross-sectional and longitudinal studies showed that, compared with older adults who did not provide grandparental care, those providing grandparental care had significantly better physical and mental health as well as reduced lonely dissatisfaction. Further path analysis showed that lonely dissatisfaction mediated the association between providing grandparental care and enhancement in functions such that providing grandparental care could reduce lonely dissatisfaction, which, in turn, could improve their physical and mental health even after controlling for their cognitive functions. Discussion: These results suggest that providing grandparental care can improve older adults' physical and mental health through reduced lonely dissatisfaction.

Becoming a Self-reliant Elder: Fading Intergenerational Reciprocity and Pursuing Active Aging among Middle-class Seniors in Urban China

“…First, this study reveals a new type of elderhood that just started to emerge in China. Previous literature has shown that, rooted in filial piety, the ideal image of elderhood in Chinese society places high value on grandparents taking care of grandchildren to engage in intergenerational reciprocity and obtain psychological and economic well-being (Chang et al, 2020; Cong & Silverstein, 2008; Hoang & Kirby, 2020; Ikels, 2004; Low & Goh, 2015; Whyte, 1997). In contrast, the “self-reliant elders” underlines an emerging trend of departing from this cultural normative practice.…”

“…Over the past four decades, attending to the needs of adult children’s families has become a dominant constituent of Chinese elders’ aging life as the result of the changing family structure and culture (Burnette et al, 2013; Chang et al, 2020; Hoang & Kirby, 2020; Ko & Hank, 2014; Shea et al, 2020; Yan, 2018; Yang & Du, 2021; C. Zhang et al, 2019).…”

“…Having grandchildren to care for signifies the actualization of a fulfilling life in old age, encompassing the promising continuation of the patrilineal lineage and harmonious family existence. Thus, grandchild care is not just a matter of babysitting; it is both a strategy to secure elderly support and a moral imperative, which could concomitantly bring direct psychological well-being to aging parents (Chang et al, 2020; Hoang & Kirby, 2020; Low & Goh, 2015).…”

Changes in life satisfaction, depression, general health and sleep quality of Spanish older women during COVID-19 lockdown and their relationship with lifestyle: an observational follow-up study

“…The participants volunteered through advertisements and presentations in senior centres in the Region of Murcia (Spain). The Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) survey’s SD from a previous study was used to establish the power and sample size 21. With an estimated error of 2.59 points, the total sample size for this study consisted of 40 participants, which provided a power of 95% and a significance level of α=0.05.…”

Domestic Generative Acts and Life Satisfaction among Supplementary Grandparent Caregivers in Urban China: Mediated by Social Support and Moderated by Hukou Status

“…With greater longevity and lower fertility, grandparent caregiving is increasingly available in China and worldwide, and its influencing factors on grandparent caregivers' health have drawn considerable scholarly attention [1][2][3]. A basic typology to describe grandparent caregiving is suggested by Baker and Silverstein [4]: primary care for grandchildren due to family crisis or parental out-migration and supplementary care to assist working parents.…”