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Comparative Study
. 2012 Jan;67(1):99-112.
doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbr132. Epub 2011 Dec 7.

The health implications of grandparents caring for grandchildren in China

Feinian Chen  1 , Guangya Liu
Affiliations
Comparative Study

The health implications of grandparents caring for grandchildren in China

Feinian Chen et al. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2012 Jan.

Abstract

Objectives: Caring for grandchildren is a common and normative experience for many Chinese grandparents. This study investigates the influence of child care provision on older adults' health trajectories in China.

Method: Using data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (1991, 1993, 1997, 2000, 2004, and 2006), we apply growth curve models to examine the effect of living arrangements and intensity of caregiving for grandchildren on older adults' health trajectories. We use propensity score weighting to take into account potential selection bias.

Results: Grandparents living in skipped-generation households do not suffer from a deficit in self-reported health, particularly when they have higher family income. Those living in three-generation households experience a slightly more rapid health decline than older adults who live independently, although the paternal grandparents in this type of household have a significant health advantage over the maternal grandparents. Among the coresiding grandparents, high intensity care for younger grandchildren accelerates health declines, whereas a lighter level of care has a protective effect. In addition, rural grandparents and grandfathers engaging in high intensity care have worse self-reported health on average.

Discussion: Our findings suggest that grandchild care does not have a universally beneficial or detrimental effect on health, but rather its effect depends on the form and level of caregiving and is further shaped by individual characteristics, as well as normative and structural contexts.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Predicted age trajectories of self-rated health by living arrangement among older adults in China.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Predicted age trajectories of self-rated health by caregiving intensity among coresiding grandparents in China.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Predicted age trajectories of self-rated health by caregiving intensity and gender among coresiding grandparents in China.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Predicted age trajectories of self-rated health by caregiving intensity and rural/urban residence among coresiding grandparents in China.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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