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Mansilla-Domínguez JM, Recio-Vivas AM, Lorenzo-Allegue L, Cachón-Pérez JM, Esteban-Gonzalo L, Palacios-Ceña D. The role of duty, gender and intergenerational care in grandmothers' parenting of grandchildren: a phenomenological qualitative study. BMC Nurs 2024; 23:477. [PMID: 39010065 PMCID: PMC11247794 DOI: 10.1186/s12912-024-02151-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to describe grandmothers' experiences of taking care of their grandchildren in terms of their care-giving tasks, motivations and emotions. METHODS A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted. Purposive sampling was used, based on the relevance of the research question. Seventeen participants were included, women ≥ 65 years old, grandmothers who care for their grandchildren at least 10 h per week and who attended the Nursing units of the Primary Care Health Centers (Madrid Public Health Service). Seventeen in-depth interviews were conducted. The interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was carried out from the perspective of hermeneutic phenomenology. For the analysis, the Excel program was used to organize and share the coding process. Also, we followed COREQ guidelines. RESULTS Four main themes were identified: (a) Care out of obligation, where participants feel an obligation to help their children by caring for grandchildren, regardless of their number, and prefer to do so voluntarily; (b) Care out of responsibility, where grandmothers see their role as a responsibility that includes saving costs by caring for grandchildren and facilitating their children's work life balance; (c) Care as a social duty, reflecting a moral commitment inherited from their mothers to help future generations; and (d) Construction of care from a gender perspective, where grandmothers, as women, primarily assume the care and upbringing of grandchildren. DISCUSSION Our results contribute to increase knowledge about childcare provided by grandmothers to their grandchildren. Grandmothers become fundamental pillars of families by helping their children balance family and work. Behind this care there is a strong sense of obligation, duty and generational responsibility. Grandmothers' help presents differences in the distribution of tasks and care by sex. Identifying factors that motivate grandmothers to care for their grandchildren helps nurses to perform higher quality comprehensive care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana María Recio-Vivas
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, European University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Lorenzo-Allegue
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, European University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain.
| | - José Miguel Cachón-Pérez
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, European University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Esteban-Gonzalo
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, European University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Departament of Nursing, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Domingo Palacios-Ceña
- Research Group of Humanities and Qualitative Research in Health Science, Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (Hum&QRinHS), Alcorcón, Spain
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Shi J, Zhang D, Liu X. Intergenerational Caregiving Patterns and Cognitive Health among the Sandwich Generation Within Four-Generation Families. Int J Aging Hum Dev 2024:914150241235088. [PMID: 38436083 DOI: 10.1177/00914150241235088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
This study aims to investigate whether generational differences in intergenerational caregiving patterns (caring for parents only, caring for grandchildren only, and caring for parents and grandchildren simultaneously) are associated with cognitive health disparities among the sandwich generation within four-generation families, drawing upon the theories of intergenerational solidarity and intergenerational stake. Moreover, this study seeks to identify mediators that help explain these disparities. A nationally representative sample of 8,065 respondents was drawn from the 2011 and 2018 waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. The findings reveal that the sandwich generation caring for grandchildren only, as well as those caring for grandchildren and parents simultaneously, exhibit better cognitive health. However, caregiving for parents only is not significantly related to their cognitive health. This study identifies the inability to reduce depressive symptoms as a mediator explaining the insignificant association between caregiving for parents only and the cognitive health of the sandwich generation. The findings underscore the importance of offering support to the sandwich generation within four-generation families to enhance their cognitive health. Moreover, it is imperative to distinguish between different intergenerational caregiving patterns based on generational differences among the sandwich generation, with a specific emphasis on allocating public resources aimed at promoting cognitive health for those engaged in caring for parents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaming Shi
- Department of Social Security, School of Public Administration, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu, China
| | - Denghao Zhang
- School of Marxism, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoting Liu
- School of Public Affairs, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Weng Y, Yang X. Fertility behaviors and mid-late-life health status in China: From a life-course perspective. Soc Sci Med 2023; 338:116314. [PMID: 37890281 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.116314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Despite extensive research on the impact of fertility behaviors on mid-late-life health, conclusions remain inconsistent, and understanding is limited regarding the role of fertility-correlated life events in this causality. This study uses the 2018 wave and life-history information of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) dataset to explore how the number of children born (NCB) and age at first birth (AFB) influence later-life health. It also examines the effects of early-life educational attainment and mid-late-life caregiving on later-life health from a life-course perspective. Health measures include the Health Deficit Index (HDI), Activities of Daily Living (ADL), and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Results from the instrumental variables (IV) approach indicate that higher NCB predicts worse health, while later AFB predicts better later-life health. These findings remain robust with different measures of fertility behaviors, and in models that control for cohort and community fixed-effects. However, introducing education variables could disrupt the causality between fertility behaviors and later-life health, but not with caregiving variables. This suggests a potential "horse race" effect between education and fertility behaviors, both of which significantly influence later-life health. Therefore, understanding this causality and formulating policy for an aging society from a life-course perspective is essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulei Weng
- School of Economics and Management, Northwest University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710127, China.
| | - Xiaocong Yang
- School of Public Administration, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510006, China; The Nossal Institute for Global Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3053, Australia.
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Sugiyama K, Omote S, Okamoto R. Experiences of Japanese women simultaneously caring for children and older people: An ethnographic study. Heliyon 2023; 9:e20375. [PMID: 37810144 PMCID: PMC10560044 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e20375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Revised: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Japan has experienced a rapid decline in birth rate and an aging population, coupled with women choosing to delay having children. Family carers are therefore increasingly expected to accept simultaneous responsibilities for both children and parents. This responsibility often falls on women in Japan, but little is known about their views. This study aimed to understand how Japanese women who are simultaneously responsible for caring for children and older people perceive their experiences. Methods This was an ethnographic study conducted in central Japan. Over a period of 3 years and 5 months, we observed 19 people active in a peer support group for people with both childcare and caregiving responsibilities. We also carried out individual interviews with 14 Japanese women who were raising children and caring for parents or parents-in-law. Results Five key themes emerged. These were "Accepting both childcare and caregiving as my role," "Inability to fulfill the role of mother," "Being supported by children and grandparents," "Unable to talk to anyone about the pressures of caregiving," and "Realizing that caregiving is not the only way to live." Conclusions Japanese women who provided care to both children and older people were influenced by traditional Japanese values. However, they had a sense of mission and accepted the role of providing for their families. They felt guilty about not being able to fulfill their role as mothers, and were lonely, with no one to understand or advise them. If the burden of caregiving is concentrated on women, there is an increased risk that their children will become involved in providing some of the care for older people. It may therefore be necessary to develop a support system for female carers, and to increase understanding of the potential harm of placing caregiving responsibility solely on women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimi Sugiyama
- Division of Health Sciences, Doctoral Course of Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Japan
- School of Nursing, Kanazawa Medical University, Japan
| | - Shizuko Omote
- Division of Nursing, Faculty of Health Science, Kanazawa University, Japan
| | - Rie Okamoto
- Division of Nursing, Faculty of Health Science, Kanazawa University, Japan
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Wang N, Evandrou M, Falkingham J, Xu M. Typologies of Intergenerational Relations in Urban and Rural China: A Latent Class Analysis. J Appl Gerontol 2023; 42:313-323. [PMID: 36283809 DOI: 10.1177/07334648221133811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding intergenerational relations in China has become increasingly important against a backdrop of rapid social and demographic transitions and an ongoing urban-rural divide. From the parental perspective, this research investigates patterns and determinants of intergenerational relations between middle-aged and older parents and their non-coresident children in urban and rural China using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (2018) (N = 14,616). Latent class analysis revealed three typologies of intergenerational relations found across both urban and rural China - Tight-knit, Support-at-distance and Material-oriented-detached, and one typology particularly for urban China - Staying-in-touch-but-independent. The observed patterns suggest intergenerational bonds remain solid alongside the emergence of new trends, reflecting the modernization process. Multivariate multinomial regression analysis identified determinants for membership of each relationship typology. The findings will inform policy-makers and care professionals, supporting the identification of the vulnerable groups and the design of targeted policies for older parents with different family resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Wang
- School of Social and Public Administration, 47860East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Maria Evandrou
- Centre for Research on Ageing, Faculty of Social Sciences, 7423University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.,ESRC Centre for Population Change, Faculty of Social Sciences, 214229University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Jane Falkingham
- ESRC Centre for Population Change, Faculty of Social Sciences, 214229University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Maodi Xu
- Research Institute of Social Development, 12603Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdu, China
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Ageing and familial support: a three-generation portrait from urban China. AGEING & SOCIETY 2022. [DOI: 10.1017/s0144686x22000861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Research on ageing in China has been preoccupied with the unsolved question of whether traditional filial piety is eroded or sustained by societal modernisation. This article engages with the ongoing debate on modernisation and family change, but seeks to go beyond the prevailing dichotomous conclusion. Rather than focusing on one intergenerational relationship between ageing parents and their adult children – a common formula in the existing literature – this article draws upon 120 life-history interviews, involving both genders and three generations in three cities, and examines how old-age support practices have shifted across three generations, as well as between sons and daughters across time. The findings indicate that while there has been a decline in everyday financial and instrumental support by adult children for their parents across all three generations, crisis-induced intergenerational solidarity has remained intact. As the market economy has matured, differences in ageing experience have widened between working-class and affluent families. The article also reveals that care for bilateral parents has characterised the behaviour of the three urban generations. The complex shifts and continuities are the outcome of a combination of state policies, evolving filial norms, gender and demographic forces, as well as reflecting the broader structural consequences of China's shift to a market economy. By systematically comparing old-age practices by generation and gender in both Mao and post-Mao eras, the article makes a major empirical contribution to the study of ageing in urban China. From a theoretical perspective, it contributes to the global debate on modernisation and ageing by emphasising the uneven processes in which social change interacts with family life within a single country, when viewed through generational and gender prisms. In so doing, it highlights the ways in which old-age support trajectories are firmly grounded in local history and cultural, economic and demographic forces.
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Hsu WC, Huang NC, Li DC, Hu SC. The long-term effects of dual caregiving on the caregivers' well-being among middle-aged and older adults in Taiwan. Aging Ment Health 2022:1-8. [PMID: 35585725 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2022.2076205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES As life expectancy is prolonged, older people may face increased burdens related to supporting multi-generational family members. This study is aimed toward examining the effects of such an emerging type of informal care on the well-being of caregivers. METHODS Participants aged 50 and over from the Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging (1996-2007, n = 4,217) were analyzed. We categorized caregiving status according to different care recipients: 1) older adults only, 2) grandchildren only, 3) both older adults and grandchildren (dual caregiving), and 4) non-caregivers. Well-being was measured based on depressive symptoms and degree of life satisfaction. Generalized Estimation Equation models were used to examine the association between types of caregiving and the caregivers' state of well-being. RESULTS After adjusting for all covariates, caregivers of older adults had significantly more depressive symptoms and less life satisfaction than non-caregivers, especially when caregiving for adults with ADL problems. In contrast, caregivers of grandchildren were not significantly affect either depression or life satisfaction as compared with non-caregivers. Interestingly, caregiving for both older adults and grandchildren had no significant effect on depression but positively affected the degree of life satisfaction. CONCLUSION Our findings highlight that simultaneously taking care of both older adults and grandchildren can buffer negative feelings in caregivers or even improve their mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wan-Chen Hsu
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Nuan-Ching Huang
- Healthy City Research Center, Innovation Headquarters, National Cheng Kung, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Der-Chiang Li
- Department of Industrial and Information Management, National Cheng Kung, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Susan C Hu
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung, Tainan, Taiwan.,Healthy City Research Center, Innovation Headquarters, National Cheng Kung, Tainan, Taiwan
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The contribution of alternative types of care on life satisfaction among disabled older persons in China. AGEING & SOCIETY 2022. [DOI: 10.1017/s0144686x22000101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Long-term care given to disabled older adults takes many forms, with each impacting life satisfaction through different ways. Drawing data from the 2011–2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey, this article explores the effects of various care types on life satisfaction, with a particular focus on disabled older persons. Estimates derived from a fixed effects model with propensity score matching show that compared with formal care, informal care has significant positive effects on life satisfaction for disabled older adults. In addition, informal care has its greatest positive effect on life satisfaction on those who are mildly disabled, men and rural residents compared to their counterparts, while formal care addresses the needs of individuals with severe disability. We find that the main channels of effect occur through reduced loneliness and unhappiness, increased participation in social activities and improved physical health. This work contributes to the existing literature by demonstrating how various care types affect life satisfaction in China where filial piety, the central pillar of the Confucian ethics, is one of the common shared values among residents. These findings highlight the benefits derived from policies that promote and support the provision of informal care for older individuals. Moreover, there is a pressing need to buttress the formal care provision as a supplement to support severely disabled older adults in China.
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Sociodemographic and COVID-Related Predictors for Mental Health Condition of Mainland Chinese in Canada Amidst the Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 19:ijerph19010171. [PMID: 35010431 PMCID: PMC8750305 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The current study investigates the mental health condition of Mainland Chinese in Canada and identifies the associated sociodemographic and COVID-19-related predictors. A sample of 471 Mainland Chinese aged 18 or older completed an online survey that collected information on demographics, experience, cognition, and behaviours related to the COVID-19 pandemic and mental health condition. Mental health condition was assessed with the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21) for the depression, anxiety, and stress levels of Mainland Chinese during the pandemic. Moderate to severe depression, anxiety, and stress levels were respectively reported by 11.30%, 10.83%, and 5.10% of respondents. Univariate analysis of variance models (ANOVAs) were conducted to assess mental health condition variance as stratified by independent sociodemographic- or COVID-19-related explanatory variables, to identify possible predictors to be entered into the subsequent regression models. The regression models identified age, income level, health status, and perceived discrimination as significant sociodemographic predictors (absolute value of βs = 1.19–7.11, ps < 0.05), whereas self-infection worry, attitude towards Canadian measures, information confusion, food/goods stocking, and room cleaning/sanitizing were identified as significant COVID-19-reltaed predictors (absolute value of βs = 1.33–3.45, ps < 0.05) for mental health outcomes. The results shed light on our understanding of the major factors associated with the mental health condition of Mainland Chinese in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Liu J, Chen F. Intergenerational Caregiving Patterns, Living Arrangements, and Life Satisfaction of Adults in Mid and Later Life in China. Res Aging 2021; 44:545-559. [PMID: 34889697 DOI: 10.1177/01640275211058433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
While the health implications of intergenerational caregiving have been broadly investigated in the aging literature, less is known about caregivers in four-generation families and their living arrangements. Using 2011 and 2013 waves of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (N = 12,914 obs.), we document enhanced life satisfaction of grandchild caregivers and sandwich caregivers caring for both grandchildren and parents than non-caregivers. When further taking living arrangements into consideration, we find that parent caregivers also benefit from care provision when not living with their parents and sandwich caregivers only have an advantage when co-residing with care recipients with adult children present in households. By contrast, grandchild caregivers living with grandchildren show substantially higher life satisfaction no matter adult children are present or not. The subgroup comparison suggests that females and rural residents enjoy psychological advantages over their male counterparts and urban counterparts in grandparenting within skipped-generation households and sandwich caregiving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingwen Liu
- Department of Sociology, 1068University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Feinian Chen
- Department of Sociology, 1068University of Maryland, College Park, MD, USA
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The impact of living arrangements and intergenerational support on the health status of older people in China: are rural residents disadvantaged compared to urban residents? AGEING & SOCIETY 2021. [DOI: 10.1017/s0144686x21000702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Research to-date has examined the impact of intergenerational support in terms of isolated types of support, or at one point in time, failing to provide strong evidence of the complex effect of support on older persons’ wellbeing. Using the Harmonised China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (2011, 2013 and 2015), this paper investigates the impact of older people's living arrangements and intergenerational support provision/receipt on their physical and psychological wellbeing, focusing on rural–urban differences. The results show that receiving economic support from one's adult children was a stronger predictor for higher life satisfaction among rural residents compared to urban residents, while grandchild care provision was an important determinant for poor life satisfaction only for urban residents. Having weekly in-person and distant contact with one's adult children reduced the risk of depression in both rural and urban residents. Older women were more likely than men to receive support and to have contact with adult children, but also to report poor functional status and depression. The paper shows that it is important to improve the level of public economic transfers and public social care towards vulnerable older people in rural areas, and more emphasis should be placed on improving the psychological wellbeing of urban older residents, such as with the early diagnosis of depression.
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Older parents and filial support obligations: a comparison of family solidarity norms between native and immigrant populations in Italy. AGEING & SOCIETY 2021. [DOI: 10.1017/s0144686x21000106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Although older migrants in Southern Europe are increasing in number, relatively little attention has been paid to their care needs and resources. The availability of informal care is an important determinant of wellbeing in later life and norms regulating filial obligations have an important role in affecting the quality and quantity of support received. Using data from a qualitative survey conducted in Italy, this article sheds light on the social norms regulating filial obligations towards older parents among natives and three groups of immigrants: Maghrebis, Chinese and Filipinos. The results indicate a number of commonalities between the four different groups considered, such as: the principle of delayed reciprocity at the basis of filial support obligations; a gender bias in attributing the most psychologically, physically and time-demanding caring obligations to adult daughters and daughters-in-law; and a preference for intergenerational residential autonomy shared by Italian, Filipinos and, to a lesser extent, Maghrebi respondents. At the same time, numerous differences emerge between natives and immigrants, and between immigrant groups. The most significant differences are observed regarding: the possibility of resorting to a paid care-giver, which is more common among Italians and, to a lesser extent, Filipino respondents; and a stronger gender bias among the Chinese and Maghrebi groups, i.e. they attribute the majority of personal care responsibilities to daughters and daughters-in-law.
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Liu C, Zhang L, Ahmed F, Shahid M, Wang X, Wang Y, Wang J, Guo J. Family Care, Economic Stress, and Depressive Symptoms Among Chinese Adults During the COVID-19 Outbreak: Difference by Urban and Rural Areas. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:700493. [PMID: 34366929 PMCID: PMC8335154 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.700493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Although several studies have shown an association of family care with a high level of depressive symptoms, the relationship between them remains indistinguishable. Objective: This study aims to examine the associations between family care, economic stress, and depressive symptoms among Chinese adults in urban and rural areas during the COVID-19 outbreak. Methods: Based on cross-sectional data collected through online surveys from February 1st to 10th 2020 in China the present study recruited 2,858 adults. It used multiple linear regression to examine the association between family care and depressive symptoms, while economic stress was examined as moderators on the above relationship. Results: The results showed that caring for both the elderly and children was significantly associated with higher depressive symptoms compared with non-caregivers (B = 2.584, 95%CI: 1.254, 3.915), and a similar result was also found in urban areas. Also, caring for the elderly only was also had a higher level of depressive symptoms than non-caregivers in rural areas (B = 3.135, 95%CI: 0.745, 5.525). Meeting the care needs was significantly associated with lower depressive symptoms compared with unmet care needs, while for rural caregivers, the results were not significant. Besides, economic stress strengthened the effect of family care needs on depressive symptoms for sandwich-generation caregivers who provide care to both the elderly and children (B = 0.605, 95%CI: 0.077, 1.134). While in rural areas, the moderation effects of economic stress were only found for elderly caregivers (B = 1.106, 95%CI: 0.178, 2.035). Conclusion: These findings suggest that we should pay more attention to the family caregiver's mental health during the COVID-19 outbreak. In addition, more effective policies should be developed to provide financial support for family caregivers, especially for sandwich-generation caregivers and rural elderly caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengbin Liu
- School of Sociology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Liyuan Zhang
- School of Sociology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Farooq Ahmed
- Nutritional Anthropologist, Department of Anthropology, Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan.,Former Research Associate University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | | | - Xiaohua Wang
- School of Social Development and Public Policy, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Yiqing Wang
- School of Social Development and Public Policy, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Junlan Wang
- Department of Psychology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Jing Guo
- Department of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
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Attitudes and preferences towards future old-age support amongst tomorrow’s elders in China. DEMOGRAPHIC RESEARCH 2020. [DOI: 10.4054/demres.2020.43.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
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