Association between caring for grandchildren based on living arrangements and cognitive function among Chinese middle-aged and older adults: The mediating roles of social activities and depressive symptoms

Abstract

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.

Loneliness and depression in older adults with multimorbidity: the role of self-efficacy and social support

“…Lifestyle as general social-cognitive factors such as self-efficacy and social support was clearly demonstrated as effective. On basis of previous evidence for behaviors such as caring activities and social activities ( 2 ), interventions should integrate them as well, especially in individuals facing decline in later life: especially in hospitalized elderly multimorbid patients with and without known COVID-19 infection.…”

“…Lifestyle can be regarded as behaviors and general social-cognitive factors such as self-efficacy and social support ( 1 ). While there is already some evidence for behaviors such as caring activities and social activities ( 2 ), little is known about self-efficacy and social support as key components of social determinants of health ( 3 ) in individuals facing a decline in health with aging. Decline in later life was observed especially in hospitalized elderly multimorbid patients after COVID-19 infection but also in hospitalized multimorbid patients without known COVID-19 infection during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

“…Another lifestyle factor is social support because it relates not only to social activities ( 2 ) but also to mastery experience and functional social integration. Muhammad and Maurya ( 52 ) reported that older adults with functional impairments in daily living, lack of social activities , and living separately were more likely to develop symptoms of major depression.…”

A 10-Year Scoping Review of Participation in Social Activities Among Healthy Older Adults

“…Giving advice (listening to problems and lending a helping hand) to family (23) Caring for grandchildren (38) Meeting with relatives (32) Contact with children by phone or letters (25) Provide help to a family (33) Connecting with friends Make new friends (33) Contact with close friends (25) Interaction with friends (24,28,33) Meeting with friends/ friendship group (26,31,32) Visiting friends' houses (23) Giving advice (listening to problems and lending a helping hand) to friends (23) Provide help to a friend (33) Connecting with community Social interaction/talking to neighbours (21,24,29,35,36) Interaction with helpers or other people (24) Interaction at the kitchen garden (24) Visiting sick people (23) Cater for the sick, disabled person or people in need (23,33) Talking to young people (23) Food/dine-out groups (34) Participating in leisure activities Joining hobby groups (22)(23)(24)(26)(27)(28)30) Singing (32) Cantonese opera (32) Cultural groups (22,23,27) Art and literature groups (34) Entertainment groups…”

“…For the sub-domain of 'connecting with friends', the example of activities are contacting, interacting and meeting with friends (24-26, 28, 31-33). The third most common reported informal social activities are 'connecting with family or relatives' (23,25,32,33,38) and 'participating in outdoor activities' (n = 5, 20.8% each). Some examples of activities for the sub-category 'connecting with family or relatives' are giving advice to family (23), caring for grandchildren (38) and meeting with relatives (32).…”