IntroductionIn the context of an aging population and age-related conditions increasing, the increasing number of middle-aged and older adults are involved in grandchildren care. This study aimed to 1) explore the association between caring for grandchildren based on living arrangements and cognitive function among Chinese middle-aged and older adults; and 2) investigate the mediating roles of social activities and depressive symptoms in the aforementioned association.MethodsThis study selected 5490 Chinese people (≥45 years old) from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Participants answered questions related to socio-demographics, the Mini-mental State Examination, the intensity of grandchildren care, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and social activity.ResultsThe results showed that caring for grandchildren and cohabiting with a spouse was positively associated with cognitive function among Chinese middle-aged and older adults (B = 0.829, p < 0.001). Furthermore, there was a positive association between providing intensive or no-intensive grandchildren care and cognitive function. In contrast, caring for grandchildren but not cohabiting with a spouse was negatively associated with cognitive function (B = −0.545, p < 0.05). Moreover, directly and indirectly, caring for grandchildren was significantly associated with cognitive function among Chinese middle-aged and older adults, as mediated by social activities and depressive symptoms.DiscussionThe findings emphasize that living arrangements, social engagement, and psychological health could be considered when encouraging grandparent care as formal care.
Objectives As the world’s population increases in age, the number of people suffering from cognitive impairment and dementia has increased dramatically. This study aims to investigate the association between grandparenting and cognitive function in middle-aged and older Chinese and explore the mediating effects of children’s intergenerational support on grandparenting and cognitive function. Methods This study used data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). A total of 5882 participants were recruited at the baseline survey in 2011, and 1230 participants completed the follow-up survey over 7 years. The CHARLS included the surveys on grandparenting and cognitive assessments. Grandparenting was categorized as yes and no. Cognitive function was measured by episodic memory and mental intactness. The association between grandparenting and cognitive function was analyzed in cross-sectional and 7-year follow-up models. Finally, the bootstrap method tests the mediating effect of children’s intergenerational support. Results Both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies presented that grandparenting was positively related to increase the cognitive function in middle-aged and older Chinese (B = 0.231, p < 0.05; B = 0.217, p < 0.05). Children’s emotional support and economic support played intermediary roles between grandparenting and cognitive function. Conclusion The findings emphasize the importance for policymakers to consider the impact of intergenerational care and family support when implementing new policies related to social services for middle-aged and older Chinese.
Background: In the context of an ageing population and age-related conditions increasing, more and more middle-aged and older persons are involved in grandchildren care. This study aims to investigate the association between intergenerational care based on living arrangements and cognitive function, and explore the mediating effects of social activities and depressive symptoms on grandchildren care and cognition.Methods: This study selected 5490 Chinese people (≥45 years old) from 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). Participants answered questions related to socio-demographics, Mini-mental State Examination, grandchildren care, the intensity of grandchildren care, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and social activity. Results: This study found that caring for grandchildren and co-habited with spouse had a significant positive effect on cognitive function among the middle-aged and elderly people (B=0.829, p<0.001). Furthermore, providing intensive or no-intensive children care positively influenced cognitive function. In contrast, providing intergenerational care but not co-habited with spouse negatively affected cognition (B=-0.545, p<0.05). Moreover, caring for grandchildren had direct and indirect effects on cognition, as mediated by social activities and depressive symptoms. Conclusion: This study highlights that providing grandchildren care and co-habited with spouse is associated with better cognition. The social activities and depressive symptoms act as moderated roles between caring for grandchildren and cognition. The findings emphasize the living arrangement, social engagement and psychological health could be considered when encouraging grandparenting care as a complement to formal care.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.