Abstract: Using the data of 2014 baseline survey of the China Longitudinal Ageing Social Survey (CLASS), which provides a sample of Chinese older adults who have grandchild younger than 18 years old, this study examines the associations among grandchild care, social networks, and depressive symptoms among Chinese older adults. The older adults are divided into three groups basing on the frequency of grandchild care provision, including ‘no care’,‘providing care occasionally’ and ‘providing care frequently’ respectively. The mediating and moderating effects of social networks between grandchild care and depressive symptoms are tested. Results show that older adults who provide grandchild care report larger social networks and better mental health than those who dont provide grandchild (reference group). After controlling other variables, the older adults who provide grandchild care occasionally benefit more than those who take care of grandchild frequently. Grandchild care is related to larger social networks, and the association between grandchild care and depressive symptoms is fully mediated by social networks.

Keywords: Grandchild Care, Social Networks, Depressive Symptoms, Mental Health, Older Adults

摘要： 利用2014年中国老年社会追踪调查（CLASS）数据，根据频率将老年人照顾孙子女行为区分为不照顾、偶尔照顾和经常照顾，将抑郁水平作为心理健康的指标，对老年人照顾孙子女行为、社会网络及心理健康的现状及其之间的关系进行讨论，重点分析了社会网络在照顾孙子女与老年人心理健康关系中的作用机制。结果发现：（1）中国老年人照顾孙子女的现象较为普遍，不同群体老年人照顾孙子女的行为存在差异；（2）照顾孙子女对老年人的家庭网络、朋友网络及心理健康均有积极作用；（3）相较于经常照顾，偶尔照顾对老年人社会网络及心理健康的积极作用更大；（4）社会网络在偶尔照顾孙子女与老年人心理健康之间起完全中介作用。

关键词: 照顾孙子女, 社会网络, 抑郁水平, 心理健康, 老年人