关键词:  丧偶, 死亡风险, 配偶照顾, 中国老人

Abstract:  Base on the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey(1998-2005),We examine the relationship between the death of a spouse and mortality using Cox Proportional Hazard Model,and analyze the role of spousal care in this relationship.The results show that death of a spouse is a significant predictor of mortality of the elderly.Generally,the mortality of the continually widowed is higher than that of their continually married counterparts.Moreover,besides the oldest old female,transition from marriage to widowhood is associated with an initial increase in mortality,but this increase dissipates with age.However,we further find that the care from a spouse is an important factor which moderates the relationship between widowhood and mortality.Controlling for spousal care,the difference of mortality dramatically declines,which shows that the care from a spouse has an important effect on the life-span of the elderly.Finally,we find that there is to some extent gender difference and age difference in the role of spousal care.

Keywords:  Widowhood, Mortality, Spousal Care, Chinese Elderly