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A Prospective Study of the Impact of Caring for Grandchildren on the Physical Health and Psychological Well-being of Rural Older Adults

Wang Ping, Chang Chaoqun, Pan Shuang, Li Yiming

Population Research 2023, 47 (5): 32-45.

Abstract （225）

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Using 7-wave longitudinal data spanning 18 years, this paper explores the impact of grandparenting on rural older adults' physical health and psychological well-being. Moderate or intensive care, grandparenting regardless of whether living with adult children or not, and transitioning to grandparenting significantly increase older adults' (instrumental) activities of daily living, while never grandparenting and transitioning to the state of not grandparenting significantly decrease their (instrumental) activities of daily living. Intensive care, grandparenting and living with adult children, and persistent care positively affect their self-rated health, while never grandparenting negatively affects their self-rated health. Older adults who have persistently/never cared for grandchildren are more/less satisfied with their lives. Moderate and intensive grandparenting and grandparenting regardless of whether living with adult children or not significantly reduce older adults' depression, while never grandparenting and transitioning to the state of not grandparenting significantly increase the number of depressive symptoms. The results suggest that moderate grandparenting benefits older adults' physical health and psychological well-being. This might result from the harmonious interaction between their role of ageing parents and their "parent" role in intergenerational child care.

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The Influence of Changes in Family Structure on the Age Difference of Mortality Risk of Rural Older Adults

Wang Ping, Pan Shuang, Wang Jing, Li Yiming

Population Research 2020, 44 (6): 35-48.

Abstract （385）

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This study utilizes the longitudinal survey data to investigate the age group differences in the impact of changes in family structure on the mortality risk of rural older adults. The results show that ‘always being in a linear family’ significantly reduced the mortality risk of older adults. ‘Changing from a linear family to a one-person family or a conjugal nuclear family’ resultes in a decline of the mortality risk of the older adults under age 75 while lead to an increase after controlling the intergenerational support and health condition. It also increases the mortality risk of the older adults above age 75. ‘Changing from a one-person family or a conjugal nuclear family to a linear family’ significantly reduces the mortality risk of the older adults above age 75. The results reveal that Chinese society is in a period of transition and coexistence of traditional and relatively modern family structures. Changes in family structure based on respect and care for life that meet the multi-dimensional care needs of the older adults benefit the health and life expectancy of older adults. Supporting the health development of younger older people under the changes of family structure will also lead to better health conditions when they grow much older in the future, thus further promote the realization of a healthy aging society in China.