Adult child socio-economic status and older parents’ psychosocial outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Purpose Older adults’ psychosocial outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic have been inequitable by socio-economic status (SES). However, studies have focused solely on own SES, ignoring emerging evidence of the relationship between adult child SES and late-life health. We evaluated whether adult child educational attainment – a core marker of SES – is associated with older parents’ psychosocial outcomes during the pandemic. Methods We used data from the Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE; 2004-2018) and the SHARE Corona Surveys (2020 and 2021). We included 15,553 respondents > 65 years who had pre-pandemic information on adult child educational attainment, self-reported mental health, and worsened mental health compared to the pre-pandemic period. We used generalized estimating equations adjusted for respondent and family-level characteristics, including respondents’ own SES. Results Older adults whose adult children averaged levels of educational attainment at or above (vs. below) their country-specific mean had a lower prevalence of nervousness (Prevalence Ratio [PR]: 0.95, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 0.91, 0.99), depression (PR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.92, 1.00), and trouble sleeping (PR: 0.96, 95% CI: 0.92, 1.00) during the pandemic; associations with loneliness were null. Overall associations with worsened mental health as compared to the pre-pandemic period were null. Protective associations were stronger in countries experiencing “high” levels of COVID-19 intensity. Conclusions Adult child SES may be an important driver of inequities in older adults’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Policies aimed at improving adult child SES may buffer the adverse psychosocial impacts of societal stressors.