Analysis of the chain mediation effect between intergenerational support and mental health of older adults in urban China: a structural equation model.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed investigate the impact of intergenerational support on the mental health of older adults in urban China. It also sought to evaluate the chain mediation effect of attitudes toward younger people and willingness to interact with younger people within a non-familial context between intergenerational support and mental health. METHODS: Data were derived from a community survey that adopted quota sampling in mainland China in 2022 (N = 780). Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data, and the bootstrap technique was used to test the mediation effect. RESULTS: A significant positive association was found between intergenerational support and the mental health of older adults in urban China (B = 0.852, 95% confidence interval CI [0.157,1.617]). Intergenerational support had a specific indirect effect on mental health through older adults' attitudes toward younger people within a non-familial context (B = 0.665, 95% CI [0.443,1.046]). There was a chain mediation effect (B = 0.126, 95% CI [0.069,0.224]) in relation to attitudes toward younger people and the willingness to interact with younger people between intergenerational support and mental health. Mediation accounted for 44.44% of the total effects in the model. CONCLUSION: These findings help identify modifiable factors that can improve the mental health of older adults. In line with the proposed serial multiple mediation model, this study provides theoretical and practical insights concerning the synergistic effect of intergenerational support at the family level and intergenerational interaction at the community level. Policy and social service implications are also discussed.

Influence of intergenerational support on the mental health of older people in China.

Today, population aging is the main trend of population development. Home-based care is mainly adopted in Chinese society, and scholars have paid ample attention to the effect of intergenerational support on the mental health of older people. However, research conclusions differ. This study uses data from the 2018 China Health and Pension Tracking Survey (CHARLS), which we analyzed with STATA software to construct least squares regression and two-stage least squares regression models. The regression model included 6,647 respondents to investigate the mental health status of older people based on depression status. Intergenerational support was defined as economic support, emotional support, and daily care provided by the children of older people. We studied the impact of three aspects of intergenerational support on the mental health of the elderly. We performed a robustness test using the variable replacement and propensity score matching methods, and analyzed age, gender, and urban-rural heterogeneity. The results showed that economic support had no significant impact on the mental health of older people, while emotional support and daily care had a positive effect. The heterogeneity results indicated that the relationship between intergenerational support and mental health of older people differed significantly based on age, gender, and urban and rural areas. Therefore, children should raise their awareness of supporting their parents, pay attention to their parents' mental health, and provide emotional support and daily care. Furthermore, community work improves family relations, creates a good social environment, and encourages young people to respect and be filial to older people. The government should improve the medical security system and old-age service system, and provide policy support to help the mental health of older people.

The effect of intergenerational support from children on loneliness among older adults-the moderating effect of internet usage and intergenerational distance.

Objective: Loneliness is a key social and public health issue, mainly affecting the mental health of older adults. The article aimed to explore the influence of intergenerational support from children on loneliness among older adults. Meanwhile, the article also analyzed the moderating effects of internet usage and intergenerational distance in this process. Methods: Based on the data received from 2018 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS), the ordinary least square (OLS) regression model was used to analyze the influence of intergenerational support from children on loneliness among older adults. Furthermore, the Bootstrap method was used to test the moderating effect of internet usage and intergenerational distance on the relationship between intergenerational support from children on loneliness among older adults. Results: Baseline regression showed that economic support (ß = -0.059, p < 0.001), caregiving support (ß = -0.070, p < 0.001), and emotional support (ß = -0.108, p < 0.001) from children can positively influence loneliness among older adults. Meanwhile, the results of the moderated effects analysis showed that internet usage and intergenerational distance moderates the relationship between caregiving support, emotional support from children and loneliness among older adults. Conclusion: The article demonstrates that family support, particularly intergenerational support from children plays a pivotal role in alleviating loneliness among older adults, so the government should further regulate the behavior of children's alimony support, improve the digital infrastructure, these measures help to reduce loneliness among older adults and expand the depth and breadth of family care of older adults.

An Update on the Special Issue "Parent-Child Interactions: Paths of Intergenerational Transmission of Psychopathological Risk".

In September 2020, this Journal published a Special Issue (SI) entitled "Parent-Child Interactions: Paths of Intergenerational Transmission of Psychopathological Risk" that included fourteen interesting articles (see here for all of the published manuscripts' references: https://www [...].

Investment by maternal grandmother buffers children against the impacts of adverse early life experiences.

Exogenous shocks during sensitive periods of development can have long-lasting effects on adult phenotypes including behavior, survival and reproduction. Cooperative breeding, such as grandparental care in humans and some other mammal species, is believed to have evolved partly in order to cope with challenging environments. Nevertheless, studies addressing whether grandparental investment can buffer the development of grandchildren from multiple adversities early in life are few and have provided mixed results, perhaps owing to difficulties drawing causal inferences from non-experimental data. Using population-based data of English and Welsh adolescents (sample size ranging from 817 to 1197), we examined whether grandparental investment reduces emotional and behavioral problems in children resulting from facing multiple adverse early life experiences (AELEs), by employing instrumental variable regression in a Bayesian structural equation modeling framework to better justify causal interpretations of the results. When children had faced multiple AELEs, the investment of maternal grandmothers reduced, but could not fully erase, their emotional and behavioral problems. No such result was observed in the case of the investment of other grandparent types. These findings indicate that in adverse environmental conditions the investment of maternal grandmothers can improve child wellbeing.

Is intergenerational care associated with depression in older adults?

Background: It has become an alarming issue that older adults in China are facing mental health issues, causing severe depression. In this context, intergenerational care, in which grandparents care for young children instead of the young parents, is gaining importance. This study aims to explore the correlation between intergenerational care and depression among older adults, seeking alternative approaches to enhancing their quality of life. This study concludes that intergenerational care is an effective strategy for promoting active aging. Methods: This study used multiple linear regression, propensity score matching, and additional analysis of heterogeneity, mediation, and moderation effects, with data from the 2018 CHARLS survey. Results: The results indicated a negative correlation between intergenerational care and depression among older adults. The correlation was stronger for females and younger older adults people. Additionally, social activities served as a mediator between intergenerational care and depression among older adults, and health satisfaction positively moderated this relationship. Conclusion: This study posits that intergenerational care serves as an effective approach for promoting active aging. It emphasizes the necessity for supportive government policies and community-family collaborations to encourage intergenerational care and its beneficial impact on mental health among older adults.

Within-Family Differences in Intergenerational Contact: The Role of Gender Norms in a Patrilineal Society.

Intergenerational contact is important to older adults' quality of life, but less is known about within-family differences in older parents' contact between sons and daughters, especially in countries with patrilineal traditions. Applying latent profile analysis to data on 3,228 Korean older adults' frequency of meeting and communication with each of their children, this study identified within-family patterns of intergenerational contact. Nearly half of parents exhibited gender-balanced patterns of meeting across children, while 13% reported "more frequent contact with daughters" and 39% reported "more frequent contact with sons." On the other hand, "equally high contact" (77%) was the most common pattern for communication. Multinomial regression results showed that the derived patterns were differentiated by parents' education, marital status, region, economic satisfaction, health, and depressive symptoms. The results highlighted the enduring nature of patrilineal traditions as well as the differing patterns of contact that Korean older adults have with their children.

Trajectories of Intergenerational Emotional Closeness in Multi-Child Aging Families in China.

Intergenerational emotional closeness (IEC) in multi-child families manifests not only in the overall parent-child relationship but also by the extent of its within-family differentiation. This study aimed to identify distinct trajectories of collective IEC in multi-child families and to examine its potential associated factors. The study used four waves of the China Family Panel Studies (2010-2018). Based on a sample of 3474 older adults (age >60), growth mixture modelling and logistic regression were conducted. Two latent trajectory patterns of IEC were identified: increasingly tight-knit (93%) and persistently collectively ambivalent (7%). Compared to the latter trajectory, older adults who had a married/cohabiting partner, had better health and received support from all children, were more likely to have increasingly tight-knit trajectories of IEC. The study tells a story more about emotional cohesion between Chinese older adults and multiple offspring over time. Aging families experiencing persistently collectively ambivalent IEC deserve more attention.

Racial and ethnic differences in predictors of participation in an intergenerational social connectedness intervention for older adults.

BACKGROUND: Social connectedness is a key determinant of health and interventions have been developed to prevent social isolation in older adults. However, these interventions have historically had a low participation rate amongst minority populations. Given the sustained isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is even more important to understand what factors are associated with an individual's decision to participate in a social intervention. To achieve this, we used machine learning techniques to model the racial and ethnic differences in participation in social connectedness interventions. METHODS: Data were obtained from a social connectedness intervention that paired college students with Houston-area community-dwelling older adults (> 65 yo) enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. Eligible participants were contacted telephonically and asked to complete the 3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale. We used the following machine-learning methods to identify significant predictors of participation in the program: k-nearest neighbors, logistic regression, decision tree, gradient-boosted decision tree, and random forest. RESULTS: The gradient-boosted decision tree models yielded the best parameters for all race/ethnicity groups (96.1% test accuracy, 0.739 AUROC). Among non-Hispanic White older adults, key features of the predictive model included Functional Comorbidity Index (FCI) score, Medicare prescription risk score, Medicare risk score, and depression and anxiety indicators within the FCI. Among non-Hispanic Black older adults, key features included disability, Medicare prescription risk score, FCI and Medicare risk scores. Among Hispanic older adults, key features included depression, FCI and Medicare risk scores. CONCLUSIONS: These findings offer a substantial opportunity for the design of interventions that maximize engagement among minority groups at greater risk for adverse health outcomes.

Intergenerational ties in late life.

At the turn of the twenty-first century, scholars predicted that ties between aging parents and grown offspring would grow in prominence and become the primary relationship for many adults. These ties are often emotionally complex, in both positive and negative ways, and resource rich with regard to support. Contact between generations has become both more frequent in the form of coresidence and less frequent due to high rates of migration. Support exchanges are often high in this tie involving, emotional, financial and practical assistance. A burgeoning literature addresses the implications of loss of this tie via death or estrangement. Collectively, recent studies address strengths of these ties, and explanations for their absence when that occurs.

Grandmothers as Primary Caregivers for Their Grandchildren in Uganda: Challenges Faced and Potential for a Sustainable Livelihood Intervention.

Global drivers of health, such as poverty, climate change, and public health crises, pose significant impact on many vulnerable groups, such as grandmother-caregivers (GMCs). Engaging community partners in this problem could help in understanding salient issues and devising solutions to alleviate the challenges faced by GMCs. The purpose of the current study was to engage community members in rural Uganda in identifying challenges experienced by GMCs and explore the potential for a sustainable livelihood for this population. We used a community-engaged ethnographic methodology for our qualitative study, which was informed by the Sustainable Livelihood Framework. Themes emerged in two domains: GMC Challenges and Potential for Sustainable Livelihoods and Intervention Recommendations. The challenges experienced by GMCs are multifaceted as are the potential solutions. Our findings have the potential to inform community development interventions that support the livelihoods and well-being of GMCs in Uganda and similar settings. [Research in Gerontological Nursing, 17(1), 43-52.].

Work values and communication styles among Generation X, Y, and Z nurses: A cross-sectional study.

AIM: To compare and contrast nurses' work values and communication styles across Generation X, Y, and Z. BACKGROUND: Intergenerational differences in the work values of nurses are well known, but the commonalities remain largely uninvestigated. It is also unclear if there are intergenerational differences and commonalities in the rhetorical communication style of nurses. METHODS: This study used a cross-sectional research design. Participants were 243 nurses of Generation X (n = 78), Y (n = 86), and Z (n = 79) working at a general hospital in Korea. Structured questionnaires were used to collect the data from September to October 2019. The differences in work values and communication types were measured and analyzed using the χ2 test. FINDINGS: The work values of Generation X differed from those of Generation Y and Z, who preferred extrinsic work values. There was no significant intergenerational difference in communication types, although Generation X and Y were similar to each other in communication types and different from Generation Z. CONCLUSION: Although the work values of the three generations are different, their communication styles are similar so that they may reduce the generational gap through communication. In particular, Generation Y nurses prefer extrinsic work values and share some work values with Generation Z; however, the dominant communication type of Generation Y is similar to Generation X, not Z. Therefore, Generation Y could play a key role in connecting Generation X with Z during communication. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING POLICY: Nursing organizations should delegate the authority to Generation Y so that Y may have a voice in the nursing group as the mediator between X and Z.

Parent-child separation and intergenerational transmission of substance use and disorder: Testing across three generations.

There is evidence for intergenerational transmission of substance use and disorder. However, it is unclear whether separation from a parent with substance use disorder (SUD) moderates intergenerational transmission, and no studies have tested this question across three generations. In a three-generation study of families oversampled for familial SUD, we tested whether separation between father (G1; first generation) and child (G2; second generation) moderated the effect of G1 father SUDs on G2 child SUDs. We also tested whether separation between father (G2) and child (G3; third generation) moderated the effect of G2 SUDs on G3 drinking. Finally, we tested whether G1-G2 or G2-G3 separation moderated the mediated effect of G1 SUDs on G3 drinking through G2 SUDs. G1 father-G2 child separation moderated intergenerational transmission. In families with G1-G2 separation, there were no significant effects of father SUD on G2 SUD or G3 drinking. However, in nonseparated families, greater G1 father SUDs predicted heightened G2 SUDs and G3 grandchild drinking. In nonseparated families, G1 father SUDs significantly predicted G2 SUDs, which predicted G3 drinking. However, G2-G3 separation predicted heightened G3 drinking regardless of G2 and G1 SUDs. Parental separation may introduce risk for SUDs and drinking among youth with lower familial risk.

"They Did Not Know What They Were Doing": Climate Change and Intergenerational Compassion.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Compassion is described as an affective experience arising from witnessing the undeserved suffering of another that propels one to provide protection and cooperation. Climate change is often associated with "underserved suffering," especially of younger and future generations. Consequently, contemporary climate discourse has expressed hostility toward older generations for inflicting such suffering. Studies on intergenerational relations within the context of climate change agree that intergenerational solidarity, rather than conflict, is necessary for effective climate action. Because compassion is instrumental to solidarity, in this study, we explore intergenerational climate-related expressions of compassion leading to intergenerational solidarity. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We interviewed 16 climate activists from 8 countries (aged 16-76 years) to understand how they view climate responsibility. Thematic analysis was undertaken to create and explore themes related to intergenerational compassion and solidarity. RESULTS: Compassion flowed in both directions: from younger to older generations in the form of forgiveness, empathy, and understanding, and from older to younger generations through advocacy, lifestyle changes, and transmission of knowledge and skills. All participants emphasized solutions over accusations. Areas of focus varied between industrialized and developing countries. Cultural factors played an essential role in intergenerational perceptions. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Climate change can be a polarizing issue with older adults fielding accusations and younger people facing criticism for demanding climate action. Examples of intergenerational compassion can counter ageism, reshape climate narratives, encourage intergenerational cooperation, harness the skills of different generations, and create a sustainable world for all ages.

Grandparents' Experiences of Childhood Cancer: A Qualitative Study.

A child's cancer diagnosis has a significant impact on the lives of grandparents. Grandparents experience the stress of worrying about both their adult children and their grandchildren. Our study aimed to explore the lived experience of grandparents of children diagnosed with cancer. A qualitative design involving semi-structured interviews was used and data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Twenty grandparents aged 41 to 77 years were interviewed. Six themes were identified: (a) Diagnosis: changing everything; (b) Aspects of treatment: A different world; (c) Sandwich generation; (d) Family: Worrying about everyone; (e) Balancing work; and (f) It's like suddenly a door opens. Our study demonstrates the life-changing impact of having a grandchild diagnosed with cancer. It expands on existing knowledge and shows that, due to an aging population and demographic changes, some grandparents must juggle the demands of caring for aging family members and working while supporting adult children and grandchildren.

An Integrative Review of Grandparents' Experiences in Childhood Cancer.

Background: While it is generally accepted that childhood cancer has a profound impact on the family unit, there has been little focus on the experiences of grandparents who are affected by the diagnosis. Grandparents play an integral role throughout the child's illness trajectory as they are called upon to provide support physically, spiritually, emotionally, and at times financially. This integrative review examines the current research specific to grandparents' experiences of childhood cancer. Method: CINAHL, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched using the key terms "grandparent*" AND "experience*" AND "child*" AND "cancer." Inclusion criteria used for this review were as follows: electronic full text, peer-reviewed, and published in English between 2012 and 2022. Results: Grandparents of children with cancer experience an emotional whirlwind, a double-whammy effect, the giving and receiving of support, a balancing act, and attempt to find meaning throughout the diagnosis. They feel unacknowledged and unsupported by the health care team. Discussion: It is difficult to deny the emotional and familial impact the child's cancer diagnosis has not only on the child and immediate family but also on grandparents. While the reports of grandparents are consistent across studies, there have been lackluster attempts to mitigate the suffering experienced by this group. Pediatric oncology nurses, with their family-centered care approach, are in a unique position to uncover and meet the specific needs of grandparents of children diagnosed with cancer.

The association between intergenerational relationships and depression among older adults: A comprehensive systematic literature review.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aims to comprehensively examine the relationship between intergenerational relationships and depression among older adults in Eastern Asian countries. METHODS: For this research, a systematic search was conducted on several electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar search engine up until June 2023. RESULTS: Out of 953 articles initially identified, 33 met the inclusion criteria. Emotional support and financial support emerged as crucial factors that can significantly reduce depressive symptoms among older individuals. However, there are diverse and sometimes contradictory results regarding the impact of intergenerational instrumental support on depression in older adults. CONCLUSION: Promoting positive intergenerational relationships and enhancing support systems can greatly benefit the mental health of older adults by addressing depression within this population. This review enhances our understanding of the complex relationship between intergenerational relationships and depression among older adults. The diverse findings on intergenerational instrumental support and depression in older adults suggest the need for further research to clarify this relationship and its nuances. This research may have practical implications for policies and interventions aimed at improving the mental well-being of older adults in Eastern Asian countries.

Grandparenting and life satisfaction among Chinese elderlies: a study of possible mechanisms.

OBJECTIVE: This study examines the impact of caregiving on older people's life satisfaction, focusing on the role of caring for grandchildren. The study considers individual characteristics (aging attitudes) and situational factors (intergenerational support) and aims to identify the mediating roles of aging attitudes and intergenerational support in the relationship between caregiving and life satisfaction. METHOD: The study analyzed data from the 2014 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS), focusing on 5363 grandparents who reported providing care for their grandchildren in the 12 months before the survey. Life satisfaction was subjectively measured. The data was analyzed using multiple linear regression, propensity score matching, and mediation analysis. RESULT: The study found that grandparents who cared for their grandchildren have higher levels of life satisfaction. Self-aging attitudes, general aging attitudes, intergenerational economic support, intergenerational instrumental support, and intergenerational emotional support fully mediated the relationship between grandchild care and life satisfaction. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that caring for grandchildren is a vital activity for older people that helps them develop positive aging attitudes and strengthens intergenerational support, thereby improving their quality of life. Hence, the government, society, families, and communities should provide more social support to older adults caring for grandchildren. This would not only benefit the health of the older people themselves but also promote intergenerational harmony and family development.

Enhancing health outcomes for Maori elders through an intergenerational cultural exchange and physical activity programme: a cross-sectional baseline study.

Background: The study offers baseline data for a strengths-based approach emphasizing intergenerational cultural knowledge exchange and physical activity developed through a partnership with kaumatua (Maori elders) and kaumatua service providers. The study aims to identify the baseline characteristics, along with correlates of five key outcomes. Methods: The study design is a cross-sectional survey. A total of 75 kaumatua from six providers completed two physical functioning tests and a survey that included dependent variables based in a holistic model of health: health-related quality of life (HRQOL), self-rated health, spirituality, life satisfaction, and loneliness. Results: The findings indicate that there was good reliability and moderate scores on most variables. Specific correlates included the following: (a) HRQOL: emotional support (ß = 0.31), and frequent interaction with a co-participant (ß = 0.25); (b) self-rated health: frequency of moderate exercise (ß = 0.32) and sense of purpose (ß = 0.27); (c) spirituality: sense of purpose (ß = 0.46), not needing additional help with daily tasks (ß = 0.28), and level of confidence with cultural practices (ß = 0.20); (d) life satisfaction: sense of purpose (ß = 0.57), frequency of interaction with a co-participant (ß = -0.30), emotional support (ß = 0.25), and quality of relationship with a co-participant (ß = 0.16); and (e) lower loneliness: emotional support (ß = 0.27), enjoyment interacting with a co-participant (ß = 0.25), sense of purpose (ß = 0.24), not needing additional help with daily tasks (ß = 0.28), and frequency of moderate exercise (ß = 0.18). Conclusion: This study provides the baseline scores and correlates of important social and health outcomes for the He Huarahi Tautoko (Avenue of Support) programme, a strengths-based approach for enhancing cultural connection and physical activity.