Living arrangement preferences and realities for elderly Chinese: implications for subjective wellbeing

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (8) ◽  
pp. 1557-1581 ◽  
Author(s):  
TAICHANG CHEN
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Subjective Wellbeing ◽  
Living Arrangement ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Cultural Norms ◽  
Older Parents ◽  
Elderly Chinese ◽  
Older Chinese

ABSTRACTThis article investigates the determinants of preference for intergenerational co-residence and examines the effects of living arrangement concordance (i.e.having a match between preference and reality) on the subjective wellbeing (SWB) of older Chinese. Data were derived from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) national baseline conducted in 2011. This allows for two different measures of the affective approach to SWB: depression and happiness. This article found living arrangement preference is indicative of need, cultural norms and current living arrangement experiences. The results support the hypothesis of discrepancy theories that having living arrangement concordance improves older parents’ SWB (i.e.depressive symptoms and happiness). In addition, the previously predictive effects of the actual living arrangement on SWB lost significance when actual living arrangement and concordance were added simultaneously. Living in a preferred arrangement appears to be more important than living in a traditional arrangement from the point of view of older adults’ SWB. Programmes designed to improve wellbeing in later life should not assume that there is a one-size-fits-all model for all; instead, older people should be given more choices of living arrangements.

scholarly journals Living Arrangements, Offspring Migration, and Health of Older Adults in Rural China: Revelation From Biomarkers and Propensity Score Analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 32 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 71-82
Author(s):  
Qian Song ◽  
Feinian Chen
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Propensity Score ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Propensity Score Analysis ◽  
Rural China ◽  
Living Arrangement ◽  
Older Parents ◽  
Score Analysis ◽  
Multigenerational Household ◽  
Biomarker Data

Objective: We examine the combined effects of living arrangements and outmigration of adult children on rural older adults’ health profiles, measured by biomarker data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study 2011. Method: We employ biomarker data and propensity score analysis which allows us to effectively deal with selection issues that are commonly observed in the literature. Results: We show complex health implications of living arrangements and offspring migration. Living in a traditional multigenerational household has limited health benefits to older adults. However, older parents of migrants who live in a multigenerational household have better fitness in blood pressure. Their advantage over parents of migrants in other living arrangements suggests added benefits of the presence of grandchildren. Discussion: This study bridges the living arrangement and migration literature on health by showing that health effects of adult children’s migration on older adults are contingent upon their living arrangements.

scholarly journals Contributors to and Consequences of Poor Sleep in Older Adults: Biopsychosocial Perspectives

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 578-578
Author(s):  
Adam Spira ◽  
Katie Stone
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Poor Sleep ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Older Parents ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Objectively Measured ◽  
Ecological Momentary

Abstract Sleep is a significant contributor to health and wellbeing across the lifespan, especially in later life. Poor sleep is common among older adults and can be both a risk factor for and consequence of numerous physical and mental health-related outcomes. In this symposium, we will present novel results from four studies that will advance understanding of the biological, psychological, and social factors that may contribute to or result from poor sleep in older adults. Specifically, Study 1 will present findings tying objectively measured sleep to performance on cognitive tasks administered using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) in the day-to-day lives of older adults with or without mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Study 2 will examine associations of personality dimensions and facets with insomnia symptoms in well-functioning older adults. Study 3 will examine psychological pathways linking parent-child relationships to subjective and objective sleep characteristics among older parents. Finally, study 4 will examine use patterns of cannabis for the treatment of sleep problems in older adults, and the ways in which this might differ from patients using cannabis for other reasons (e.g., pain). Together, this symposium will highlight novel links of an array of factors with sleep health in the aging population and their implications for prevention. Sleep, Circadian Rhythms and Aging Interest Group Sponsored Symposium.

Educational Differences in Self-Rated Health Trends Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults Living Alone, 1972–2018

2022 ◽  
pp. 089826432110527
Author(s):  
Esther O. Lamidi
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Living Arrangement ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Older Americans ◽  
Health Trends ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Educational Differences ◽  
Middle Aged Adults

Objectives: This study examines educational differences in living alone and in self-rated health trends among middle-aged and older adults. Methods: We used logistic regression to analyze data from the 1972–2018 National Health Interview Survey ( n = 795,239 aged 40–64; n = 357,974 aged 65–84). Results: Between 1972–1974 and 2015–2018, living alone became more prevalent, particularly among men and at lower levels of education. Self-rated health trends varied by living arrangement and education. We found self-rated health declines among middle-aged adults having no college degree and living alone, but trends in self-rated health were mostly stable or even improved among middle-aged adults living with others. Among older adults, self-rated health improved over time, but for the least-educated older Americans living alone, the probability of reporting fair or poor health increased between 1972–1974 and 2015–2018. Discussion: The findings suggest growing disparities by social class, in living arrangements and in self-rated health.

scholarly journals Network size and support in old age: differentials by socio-economic status in childhood and adulthood

2003 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 625-645 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARJOLEIN I. BROESE VAN GROENOU ◽  
THEO VAN TILBURG
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Occupational Prestige ◽  
Personal Network ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Socio Economic Status ◽  
The Impact

This paper examines the impact of childhood and adulthood socio-economic status (SES) on personal network characteristics in later life. Data are derived from 2,285 married older adults (born between 1903 and 1937) who participated in face-to-face interviews for the Dutch survey on ‘Living arrangements and social networks of older adults’ conducted in 1992. Childhood and adulthood SES were indicated by the father's and own level of education and occupation. Multivariate analyses showed that SES in adulthood has more impact on network features in old age than father's SES. People with low lifetime SES or with downward SES mobility had small networks, low instrumental and emotional support from non-kin, but high instrumental support from kin, when compared with the upwardly mobile or those with high lifetime SES. The level of education was a better indicator of network differences than occupational prestige. It is concluded that obtaining a high SES during life pays off in terms of having more supportive non-kin relationships in old age. The small networks and less supportive non-kin relationships of low-status older adults make them more vulnerable to situations in which kin are unavailable or less willing to provide support. This study underscores the distinction between types of support and types of relationships in the SES–network association. Further research on the social pathways of socio-economic inequality in health and wellbeing should take these distinctions into account.

scholarly journals Moderating Effects of Loneliness on COVID-19-Related Stress and Anxiety in Middle and Later Life in South Korea

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 141-141
Author(s):  
Sukyung Yoon ◽  
Soo Chan Choi
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Moderating Effects ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Negatively Associated ◽  
Related Stress ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Many people have suffered from psychological distress in the form of stress, loneliness, and anxiety resulting from the COVID-19 epidemic (Havnen et al., 2020; Luchetti et al., 2020). Along with these factors, physical health (hereafter health), resilience, and living arrangements as protective factors were examined. The research aims were to investigate 1) factors affecting the association between COVID-19-related stress (hereafter stress) and anxiety, and 2) moderating effects of loneliness on this association. Data was collected on 450 middle-aged and older adults (ages 45 through 76) living in South Korea during COVID-19. A multi-group path analysis was employed. Measurement invariance was examined by comparing unconstrained and fully constrained models. Both models fit. Moderating effects of loneliness existed. Stress was negatively associated with health and living arrangements for people with both higher and lower levels of loneliness. Health was positively associated with resilience for both groups. Resilience was negatively associated with anxiety for both groups. For people with higher levels of loneliness only, stress and health were negatively associated with resilience and anxiety, respectively. The association between stress and anxiety was significant for both groups. However, the impact of stress on anxiety was significantly larger for people with higher levels of loneliness than for people with lower levels of loneliness. Health practitioners and service providers should develop programs to maintain and promote resilience, social support, and good health among middle-aged and older adults in South Korea to mitigate negative mental health consequences during the pandemic.

Health in the Neighborhood and Household Contexts Among Older Chinese Americans

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (8) ◽  
pp. 1388-1409 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fengyan Tang ◽  
Ling Xu ◽  
Iris Chi ◽  
Xinqi Dong
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Cohesion ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Health Indicators ◽  
Chinese Americans ◽  
Neighborhood Disorder ◽  
Chinese Older Adults ◽  
Older Chinese ◽  
Older Chinese Americans

Objective: This study examined the associations of neighborhood characteristics and living arrangements with physical and mental health among older Chinese Americans. Method: A sample of 3,159 community-dwelling Chinese older adults in the Greater Chicago area provided reports of health, socio-demographic characteristics, living arrangements, social cohesion, and neighborhood disorder. We used multinomial logistic, Poisson, and negative binominal regression analyses. Results: Neighborhood disorder was consistently associated with negative health indicators, including poor self-reported health, more chronic conditions, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms. Findings about the relationships between social cohesion and health indicators were mixed. Social cohesion was more salient to mental health for those living with spouse, children, and/or grandchildren relative to those living with spouse only. Discussion: Policies and interventions are needed to improve the physical and social environments of neighborhoods and to promote healthy aging among Chinese older adults and in the general population as well.

scholarly journals Association of providing/receiving support on the mortality of older adults with different living arrangements in Taiwan: a longitudinal study on ageing

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (10) ◽  
pp. 2082-2096 ◽  
Author(s):  
MIAO-YU LIAO ◽  
CHIH-JUNG YEH ◽  
SHU-HSIN LEE ◽  
CHUN-CHENG LIAO ◽  
MENG-CHIH LEE
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Activities Of Daily Living ◽  
Family Support ◽  
Living Arrangements ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Living Arrangement ◽  
Health Status Measures

ABSTRACTThis longitudinal study evaluated the direct effects of providing/receiving family support on mortality in older adults with different living arrangements in Taiwan. All data analysed were obtained from the Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging, 1996–2007, of residents aged ⩾67 years (1,492 men and 1,177 women) and Taiwan's National Death Register. Living arrangements were divided into living alone, living only with spouse, living with family and living with others. Support was mainly defined as family support divided into two categories: providing and receiving. The effect of providing/receiving family support on the mortality of older adults was evaluated using Cox regression analysed by living arrangement. Participants living with their families had lower educational levels (illiterate or elementary school) and more disability in both activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living. However, they provided more family support than those in other living arrangements. After adjusting for several potentially confounding variables, including background characteristics, economic status and various health status measures, results showed that older adults living with their families and providing support had an 11 per cent lower mortality rate (Hazard ratio = 0.89; 95 per cent confidence interval = 0.83–0.96; p = 0.0018). In conclusion, we found that, when living with family, the lives of older adults can be extended by providing support, clearly supporting the old adage ‘it is more blessing to give than to receive’. Older adults wanting to extend their lives can be encouraged to provide more help to their families.

scholarly journals “Our Only Child Has Died”—A Study of Bereaved Older Chinese Parents

2016 ◽  
Vol 74 (4) ◽  
pp. 410-425 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongqiang Zheng ◽  
Thomas R. Lawson ◽  
Barbara Anderson Head
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Only Child ◽  
Chinese Parents ◽  
Severe Impairment ◽  
Older Chinese ◽  
The One ◽  
Child's Death

Long and complicated grief is a relevant factor contributing to the deterioration of the older adults’ later life quality. In China, the unintentional consequence of the one-child policy has emerged. There, the group of older adults who lost their only child is called shiduers. The current study compared 42 older adults who lost their only child to 33 older adults who have a child, in term of their physical and mental health, and social support. The results confirmed the general deteriorating trend in those aspects of the bereaved Chinese parents’ life after their only child’s death. The results also revealed the impairments on the shiduers’ physical, mental, and social aspects were significant, compared to the clinical diagnosis cutoff points used in Western countries. Unique policy and cultural characteristics are the main factors contributing to the severe impairment of shiduers. Results have implications for policy advocacy and practice intervention in specific cultural environments.

scholarly journals Research on Attitudes Toward Ageing, Social Participation, and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adults in China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shan Mao ◽  
Yue Zeng ◽  
Nan Lu
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Mediator Role ◽  
Common Mental Health Problems ◽  
Older Chinese ◽  
Underlying Mechanisms ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Depressive symptoms are one of the most common mental health problems in later life. Although previous studies examined the social determinants of depressive symptoms, older adults’ attitudes toward ageing and the underlying mechanisms are understudied, especially in developing country contexts such as China. The objective of this study was to examine the mediator role of attitudes toward ageing on the relationship between social participation and depressive symptoms among older Chinese adults. The data were drawn from the 2014 baseline wave of China longitudinal Ageing Social Survey, and a total of 8568 respondents aged 60 years and older were included in this study. Path analysis was used to test the hypotheses. The results indicated that both psychological loss and psychological growth (i.e., two types of attitudes toward ageing) had direct effect on depressive symptoms. In addition, attitudes toward ageing were found to play significant mediator roles on the relationship between social participation and depressive symptoms among older adults. In conclusion, this study implicated the importance of older adults’ attitudes toward ageing in reducing depressive symptoms, and engaging in social activities could modify attitudes toward ageing and further reduce the risk of depressive symptoms.

scholarly journals Financial support by older adults to family members: a configurational perspective

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-28
Author(s):  
Marie Baeriswyl ◽  
Myriam Girardin ◽  
Michel Oris
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Financial Support ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Adult Child ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Financial Transfers ◽  
Older Parents ◽  
Wald Tests ◽  
Egocentric Network ◽  
Large Survey

Abstract Most research on financial inter vivos transfers from older parents to their family members is focused on the giver–receiver dyad, usually between an older parent and an adult child. This study aimed to investigate older adults' financial support beyond this level of intergenerational dyads using an egocentric network perspective (i.e., the configurational approach). Data were from a sample of 2,991 older adults (aged 65 and older) from the Vivre/Leben/Vivere study, a large survey addressing family life and health conditions of older people in Switzerland. We used Wald tests and regression analyses to identify how financial transfers are related to family network properties in later life. Findings showed that older parents' propensity to provide financial support is associated with the density of practical help exchanges within the family (mainly for men) and with the position (mainly for women) and the role they play within their family configuration.

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