Caring for grandchildren and life satisfaction of grandparents in China

Ke, SHEN; Xingyue, YANG

doi:10.1016/j.ahr.2022.100095

Cited by 7 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Investigations into the connection between grandparenting and mental health among older adults have produced divergent results, including positive, negative, and null effects (Kochli-Hailovski et al, 2021; Shen & Yang, 2022; Teerawichitchainan & Low, 2021). According to role strain theory, individuals may encounter adverse outcomes due to a need to rotate between the expectations of different roles (Goode, 1960).…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

All in the Family: Does Grandparenting Impact Chinese Grandparents’ Depressive Symptoms?

Wang,

Lu,

Huang

2024

Sage Open

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Grandparenting is becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide, especially in Chinese society. However, the impact of grandparenting on older adults’ health remains unclear. This study examined whether and how grandparenting is associated with depressive symptoms in Chinese older adults and the role of intergenerational support (i.e., financial, emotional, and instrumental support) in this relationship. Using data from the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS) 2018 wave, the researchers employed multivariate linear regression models to investigate variations in depressive symptoms and their associations with grandparenting; the role of intergenerational support was also explored. The results indicated that older adults who engage in grandparenting, particularly in non-intensive care, experience a reduction in depressive symptoms, even after accounting for sociodemographic and health-related factors. Overall, intergenerational support plays a mediating role in the relationship between grandparenting and associated mental health outcomes. Bidirectional emotional and financial support and receiving instrumental support were associated with lower depressive symptoms among Chinese grandparents. In general, the findings of this study suggest that grandparenting, along with intergenerational support, provides certain protective health benefits for Chinese grandparents. With rapid changes in Chinese society, further prospective longitudinal studies are needed to examine family contexts in the relationship between grandchild caregiving and associated health outcomes.

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Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

All in the Family: Does Grandparenting Impact Chinese Grandparents’ Depressive Symptoms?

Wang,

Lu,

Huang

2024

Sage Open

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“…Except for the above-mentioned types of intergenerational support, older parents usually provide childcare to their grandchildren. Interactions with young kids affects SWB (Choi & Zhang, 2021;Dunifon, Musick, & Near, 2020;Shen & Yang, 2022), and the decision on grandchild-care provision may depend on the gender of adult children (Chu, Xie, & Yu, 2011).…”

Section: Conceptual Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Child Gender and Subjective Well-Being of Older Parents in China

Lei,

Wu,

Xia

2023

J Happiness Stud

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In many societies, parents prefer sons over daughters, but the well-being effects of child gender, especially in later life, are less studied. Using the latest two waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), this paper evaluates the impacts of having daughters on older parents' subjective well-being (SWB) in China, which has a rapidly aging population and the traditional preference for sons. Studying the cohort of parents whose child gender is as good as random, we find that having more daughters promotes older parents' SWB, especially overall life satisfaction, satisfaction with health, and satisfaction with children. Our results suggest that the increase in SWB is achieved through better health, more financial support from daughters, more spending on leisure and a lower probability of working. The positive SWB effects of daughters are found to be more salient among more vulnerable groups, including those who are older, less educated, and with fewer children.

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“…Role Strain Theory and Role Enhancement Theory are relevant to exploring relationships between caring for grandchildren and the life satisfaction of older people [ 17 ]. The role strain theory posits that when individuals occupy multiple social roles or face conflicting demands within a particular role, they may experience stress, anxiety, and a decreased sense of well-being [ 18 ].…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Aging attitude represents a critical psychosocial factor that can significantly influence an individual's well-being and life satisfaction. Aging attitude refers to an individual's perception of the aging process, and it can be influenced by personal experience and social interaction, including caring for grandchildren [ 17 ]. Although a well-established association exists between aging attitudes and well-being/life satisfaction among older adults in China [ 11 , 36 ], the specific mediating role of aging attitudes between grandparenting and life satisfaction remains understudied with limited evidence.…”

Section: Literature Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Despite a significant decrease in families with multiple generations, the proportion of three-generation families (grandparents with adult children and grandchildren) remains significant, highlighting the crucial role of older people in caregiving, families, and society [ 16 ]. While previous research underscores the advantage of grandchild care, there is a growing concern regarding its potential adverse effect on the well-being of grandparents [ 17 ]. The current body of domestic and international research lacks a consensus regarding the influence of grandchild care on the life satisfaction of older individuals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Grandparenting and life satisfaction among Chinese elderlies: a study of possible mechanisms

Cheng,

Ariyo

2023

BMC Geriatr

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Objective This study examines the impact of caregiving on older people’s life satisfaction, focusing on the role of caring for grandchildren. The study considers individual characteristics (aging attitudes) and situational factors (intergenerational support) and aims to identify the mediating roles of aging attitudes and intergenerational support in the relationship between caregiving and life satisfaction. Method The study analyzed data from the 2014 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS), focusing on 5363 grandparents who reported providing care for their grandchildren in the 12 months before the survey. Life satisfaction was subjectively measured. The data was analyzed using multiple linear regression, propensity score matching, and mediation analysis. Result The study found that grandparents who cared for their grandchildren have higher levels of life satisfaction. Self-aging attitudes, general aging attitudes, intergenerational economic support, intergenerational instrumental support, and intergenerational emotional support fully mediated the relationship between grandchild care and life satisfaction. Conclusion This study demonstrates that caring for grandchildren is a vital activity for older people that helps them develop positive aging attitudes and strengthens intergenerational support, thereby improving their quality of life. Hence, the government, society, families, and communities should provide more social support to older adults caring for grandchildren. This would not only benefit the health of the older people themselves but also promote intergenerational harmony and family development.

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Caring for grandchildren and life satisfaction of grandparents in China

Cited by 7 publications

References 34 publications

All in the Family: Does Grandparenting Impact Chinese Grandparents’ Depressive Symptoms?

All in the Family: Does Grandparenting Impact Chinese Grandparents’ Depressive Symptoms?

Child Gender and Subjective Well-Being of Older Parents in China

Grandparenting and life satisfaction among Chinese elderlies: a study of possible mechanisms

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