Grandparenting and Well-being of the Elderly in China

Are the grandparents alright? The health consequences of grandparental childcare provision

“…The U.S. is an interesting setting with neither particularly strong family ties (compared to, e.g., East Asia) nor with extensive subsidized formal childcare places (e.g., as in Northern Europe). It seems possible that health effects in this setting are very different from those reported, e.g., for China (Choi and Zhang 2021;Wang et al 2020).…”

“…Once we address such endogeneity using the sex ratio as an IV, we find that effects of grandparenting on health are insignificant or even negative. These negative effects are not always precisely estimated, and thus a more conservative conclusion is that -contrary to most previous studies (Choi and Zhang 2021;Di Gessa et al 2016;Ku et al 2013;Wang et al 2020;Zeng et al 2021) -grandparenting does not improve grandparents' health.…”

Are the Grandparents Alright? The Health Consequences of Grandparental Childcare Provision

“…Several studies report that grandparents caring for their grandchildren are in better health, have fewer mobility limitations and fewer depressive symptoms (Danielsbacka et al 2019;Di Gessa et al 2016; Ku et al 2013; Wang et al 2020; Zeng et al 2021). Yet, interpreting these estimates as causal is challenging.…”

Grandparenting, filial piety, and well-being of Chinese-American older adults

“…Across time and space, older adults provide grandparenting, an alternative source of care for their grandchildren in support of their adult children (Fuller-Thomson and Minkler, 2001; Ku et al, 2013; Wang et al, 2020). The role of grandparenting in shaping intergenerational solidarity has been a subject of considerable academic discussion.…”

“…The changes often accompany more reciprocal relationships than an altruistic support, primarily represented by providing grandparenting in return for monetary or instrumental support from the adult children (Cong and Silverstein, 2011, 2008; Xie and Xia, 2011). Also, Chinese grandparents enjoy better psychological and health outcomes when they provide grandparenting support for their adult children (Ku et al, 2013; Lou, 2011; Wang et al, 2020).…”