How Do Intergenerational Economic Support, Emotional Support and Multimorbidity Affect the Catastrophic Health Expenditures of Middle-Aged and Elderly Families?–Evidence From CHARLS2018

Abstract

ObjectivesThe elderly face multiple vulnerabilities such as health, economy and society, and are prone to catastrophic health expenditures. This study aims to analyze the impact of children's intergenerational economic support, emotional support, and illness on the catastrophic health expenditures of middle-aged and elderly families.MethodsUsing China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS 2018) data to calculate the catastrophic health expenditure of Chinese households as the dependent variable. Taking children's intergenerational economic support, emotional support and multimorbidity as core independent variables, gender, age, marital status, medical insurance and other variables as control variables, and perform logistic regression analysis. According to the heterogeneity analysis of age and gender, the impact of intergenerational economic support, emotional support and multimorbidity on the catastrophic health expenditure of middle-aged and elderly families is explored.ResultsWhen catastrophic health expenditures occur in middle-aged and elderly families, the children's intergenerational economic support will increase significantly, especially in families with members aged 60–74. Children's emotional support can effectively reduce the risk of catastrophic health expenditures for middle-aged and elderly families. Compared with children's intergenerational economic support and emotional support, the impact of multimorbidity on the catastrophic health expenditures of middle-aged and elderly families is the most significant. Suffering from multimorbidity can increase the risk of catastrophic health expenditures for middle-aged and elderly families, especially families with male members suffering from multiple diseases.ConclusionsIt is recommended that we should do a good job in popularizing the knowledge of chronic diseases to minimize the occurrence of multimorbidity. The government should establish group medical insurance related to chronic disease diagnosis. According to the severity of the disease or the special circumstances of the patient, the level of medical insurance reimbursement is divided in detail, especially for chronic disease clinics and drug reimbursement. Children should be encouraged to strengthen the emotional connection and effective care of the elderly, focusing on the elderly 60–74 years old, in order to reduce their care pressure and maintain the physical and mental health of the elderly.

The role of intergenerational support in shaping oral healthcare-seeking behavior among older adults in China

“…Older adults are vulnerable to health and economic issues, leading to potential health expenditures. It was found that the children’s intergenerational and emotional support will increase when catastrophic health expenditures occur in families with older adults ( 14 ). Furthermore, studies by Li et al ( 17 ) and Yang et al ( 27 ) also indicate that providing intergenerational support, encompassing both emotional and financial assistance, can have a positive impact on the health and well-being of older parents.…”

“…Regarding oral health, older adults require the assistance and support of their offspring concerning financial capacity, treatment accessibility, and emotional well-being. Monetary aid from their adult children bolsters the fiscal capability of older adults concerning the medical services they can afford ( 14 , 15 ). Caregiving by children enhances the ease of obtaining medical care for older adults, whereas emotional backing from offspring reflects the potential availability of medical resources for older adults ( 16 ).…”

The impact of grandchild care on depressive symptoms of grandparents in China: The mediating effects of generational support from children

“…Support from children includes financial, emotional, and instrumental support ( 50 , 54 , 55 ) respondents received in the last 12 months. Financial support was measured by the total amount of money and in-kind support respondents received from their children in the past year.…”

Catastrophic health expenditure and health-related quality of life among older adults in Shandong, China: The moderation effect of daily care by adult children

“…Prior research con rmed that nancial aid from their offspring played a vital role in the quality of life for parents [22]. Tang et al proposed that emotional support from adult children were effective in reducing the risk of CHE in middle-aged and older families [23]. These studies have found that the daily care provided by adult children can improve the quality of life in older people.…”