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This study aims to investigate whether generational differences in intergenerational caregiving patterns (caring for parents only, caring for grandchildren only, and caring for parents and grandchildren simultaneously) are associated with cognitive health disparities among the sandwich generation within four-generation families, drawing upon the theories of intergenerational solidarity and intergenerational stake. Moreover, this study seeks to identify mediators that help explain these disparities. A nationally representative sample of 8,065 respondents was drawn from the 2011 and 2018 waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. The findings reveal that the sandwich generation caring for grandchildren only, as well as those caring for grandchildren and parents simultaneously, exhibit better cognitive health. However, caregiving for parents only is not significantly related to their cognitive health. This study identifies the inability to reduce depressive symptoms as a mediator explaining the insignificant association between caregiving for parents only and the cognitive health of the sandwich generation. The findings underscore the importance of offering support to the sandwich generation within four-generation families to enhance their cognitive health. Moreover, it is imperative to distinguish between different intergenerational caregiving patterns based on generational differences among the sandwich generation, with a specific emphasis on allocating public resources aimed at promoting cognitive health for those engaged in caring for parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The grandparents' retirement behavior has important support on mother's employment quality. This paper aims to estimate the influence of grandparents' retirement behavior on mother's employment quality, based on the China Family Panel Studies of 2018. The findings reveal a significant enhancement in mother's employment quality resulting from grandparents' retirement behavior. The mediating effect of grandparents' intergenerational caregiving explains approximately 68.77% of this improvement. Furthermore, the positive effect of grandparents' retirement behavior on mother's employment quality is more pronounced in families where the grandchild is older and in better health. Notably, the involvement of paternal grandparents yields more favorable outcomes compared to maternal grandparents. Findings from this study suggest that grandparent's retirement behavior play an important role in mother's employment quality through the provision of childcare assistance. Moreover, these findings highlight that the effectiveness of such support varies depending on the characteristics of both grandchildren and grandparents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the pressure in the labor market, an increasing number of young parents are entrusting the responsibility of taking care of their children to their retired parents. This study aimed to assess how intergenerational caregiving impacted on the physical and mental health of grandparents. We found that care provision can significantly improve grandparents' physical health and reduce their depression index scores. The positive impacts were more significant for women, middle-aged adults (45-60 years old), and grandparents living in rural area. The positive impacts stem from the increasing intergenerational economic support, spiritual comfort, and social interaction. The study has significant policy implications that align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG-3). Firstly, it is crucial to promote intergenerational cooperation and develop social support policies that address the needs of caregivers, which help improve their health and alleviate excess caregiving burdens. Second, the government should establish a socialized and market-oriented childcare service system, which in turn can stimulate economic development and lay the foundation for green economic recovery. Thirld, it is important to ensure coherence and alignment between family policies and labor protection policies to enhance the policy impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study sought to understand the experiences of intergenerational caregiving among urban poor women belonging to the Sandwich Generation that is individuals who care for both their children and aging parents. Guided by Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, we explored the experiences of eight Filipina mothers. Results revealed how societal/cultural expectations contributed to their willingness to accept the responsibility to be intergenerational caregivers, and how socioeconomic conditions influenced the existence of this care cycle. Findings point to how financial, material and policy support from government and workplaces may enable better provision of care for the parents and children of urban poor Filipino women as well as allow for self-care. Reframing traditional gender roles especially in child-rearing as well as discouraging culturally-shaped practices that engender the continuation of the care cycle through education may help in addressing the structurally enabled challenges experienced by women in the Sandwich Generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intergenerational family care provided to older parents by adult children is growing and differs based on gender and socioeconomic status. Few studies consider these elements in relation to both the parent and their adult child, and little is known about the number of care tasks received even though those providing intensive levels of care are at risk of experiencing adverse consequences in their lives. This study uses data from the nationally representative 2011 Swedish Panel Study of Living Conditions of the Oldest Old (SWEOLD) and includes child-specific information from parents aged 76 years and above. Analyses used ordinal logistic regression and are presented as average marginal effects and predictive margins. Results show that parents in need of care report that one-third of all adult children in the sample provide care to three out of five of them. The care is most often non-intensive, yet nearly one in ten of all children provide more intensive care of two or more tasks. When adjusting for dyad characteristics as well as geographic proximity, results show adult–child gender differences where parents receive more care from manual-working-class daughters than manual-working-class sons. Overall, manual-working-class daughters are most commonly reported as carers among adult children, and they are particularly overrepresented in providing intensive care. We conclude that gender and socioeconomic inequalities exist among care receivers’ adult children, even in a strong welfare state such as Sweden. Knowledge about levels and patterns of intergenerational care have important implications for how to reduce unequal caregiving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionThe impact of intergenerational caregiving on the mental health of providers remains a controversial topic, especially in countries like China where it is prevalent. Given the country’s aging population and recent liberalization of the two-child policy, understanding the effects of intergenerational caregiving on the mental health of middle-aged and older adult(s) individuals is crucial. This study aimed to explore the impact of intergenerational caregiving on mental health among middle-aged and older adult(s) individuals.MethodsWe analyzed data from the China Health and Aging Tracking Survey (CHARLS) 2013, consisting of 6602 participants finally. Personal information, family structure, financial support, health status, and physical measurements were selected for analysis. Correlation and regression analyses were used for relationships among variables controlling for potential confounding variables. Mental health status was evaluated using the depression self-rating scale.ResultsThere is a significant positive effect of intergenerational care on the mental health of middle-aged and older adult(s) people. Additionally, we re-profiled intergenerational care variables by considering the number and length of intergenerational caregivers, and found that the effects remained significant. Furthermore, the effects of intergenerational care vary across subgroups based on gender, age, nature of usual residence, marital status, and physical health status. Finally, we identified two mechanisms through which intergenerational caregiving positively affects mental health: intergenerational financial support and intergenerational spiritual support.DiscussionThese findings have important implications for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and family members in promoting the mental health of middle-aged and older adult(s) individuals in China.

Few studies describe how community disadvantage impacts intergenerational relationships. Using interviews with women and service providers (n = 100), we explored benefits and challenges of intergenerational relationships in Flint, Michigan, an economically vulnerable community. Women valued relationships that increased social connections and generativity; however, few community resources promoted such relationships. Intergenerational relationships were important for leaving a social legacy in lieu of a meaningful economic legacy. Some middle-aged women are overwhelmed by caregiving, balancing employment while caring for multiple generations. Women desired intergenerational activities that include children and younger adult women. Further, caregiving programs should attend to the needs of middle-aged caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adult children may experience filial anxiety when anticipating the need to care for their aging parents. To investigate the extent to which attachment and mental representation of caregiving predict filial anxiety, a cross-sectional study was conducted among 304 middle-age adults with at least one living parent aged 65 or more. Results suggest that the variance in filial anxiety is mainly accounted for by the mental representation of caregiving and then by attachment. These findings suggest that mental representation of caregiving and attachment are important dimensions to consider when adult children feel unprepared and worried with the need to care for their aging parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing worldwide prevalence and intensity of grandparenting has attracted an attention to its health implications for caregivers against the backdrop of population aging. Thanks to prolonged life expectancy and reduced infant mortality, extended families that comprise four generations, co-residential or not, are no longer rare in China. The current study examines health consequences when Chinese grandparents provide care to not only grandchildren but also their own elderly parents or parents-in-law (i.e., great-grandparents). Drawing on data from the 2011–2013 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), mental health was captured by levels of life satisfaction and depressive symptoms, and physical health was measured by levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), hypertension, high-risk pulse rate, and diabetes. Overall grandparents who cared for grandchildren only had better mental and physical health, compared with non-caregivers. There was some evidence that the 'sandwich' grandparents who cared for both grandchildren and great-grandparents reported greater life satisfaction, fewer depressive symptoms, and reduced hypertension compared with non-caregivers. The health advantage of caregiving was most pronounced in urban grandfathers whose caregiving conformed to the norm of filial piety and who did so most likely to seek emotional reward instead of an intergenerational time-for-money exchange. In contrast, rural grandmothers were the most vulnerable group and their health disadvantage seemed to arise from caring for great-grandparents. These findings highlight the importance of rural-urban context and gender role in studying the health effects of intergenerational caregiving on Chinese grandparents. • About 30% of the Chinese elderly are grandparents in four-generation families. • The majority of them care for grandchildren, great-grandparents, or both. • Urban grandfathers enjoy health benefits from intergenerational caregiving. • Rural grandmothers suffer health risks from intergenerational caregiving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Having an adult child living with or nearby may prevent parents with disability from moving to nursing homes and reduce the use of paid care services. Despite the profound implications for care resources and utilization among older adults, there is no measure summarizing the spatial availability of all adult children for an older adult. Our study aims to develop a holistic measure of adult children's spatial availability to assess potential family care resources for older adults with disability. Data were obtained from the population-based, longitudinal study in the U.S., the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). We selected a nationally representative sample of older adults 55+ years with disability. Using multivariable two-part regression models, we developed a care-weighted child spatial availability for caregiving (CSAC) index, which summarizes the spatial dispersion of all adult children accounting for potential caregiving associated with distance. We also constructed a reference index of child spatial proximity (CSP) focusing only on spatial distance by employing Gaussian kernel weighting functions. CSAC index highlights the great importance of having an adult child in the same household (vs. nearby or far) for receiving care among older adults with disability, compared to the CSP index, showing relatively a gradual decline over the spatial distance. Both indices vary substantially by older adults' sociodemographic attributes. The holistic indices of adult child spatial availability will contribute to assessing care resources for older adults, albeit future development is needed to extend the utility of the indices tailored for specific care needs. • Holistic index of child spatial availability for older adults with disability • Profound effect of coresidence on the index when care amount was incorporated • Substantial variation in the index by race/ethnicity, foreign-born status, and education [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Identifying gaps in the literature regarding Puerto Rican childbearing women and intergenerational caregiving will facilitate future nursing practice and research regarding the amelioration of poor maternal–fetal outcomes. Method: A literature search using PubMed and CINAHL, sensitized by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological-Environmental Model on Latinas and intergenerational caregiving, generated 18 peer-reviewed research articles (2009-2014) for analysis. Results: Categories and themes included the following: Latinas are the primary caregivers within their families and communities; caregiving is described; however, none of the studies classified caregiving as intergenerational and none sought to understand the overall impact on Latinas simultaneously caring for other members of their caregiving networks. Conclusion: Gaps in the literature need to be addressed to facilitate design of health care programs to address disparities and increase supports for childbearing Latinas involved in intergenerational caregiving who are at risk for higher incidences of challenging life experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper emphasises the impacts of international migration on old-age perceptions and norms within transnational families, and, specifically, analyses the roles of the zero generation, defined as the parents of first-generation migrants, both as non-migrant counterparts to their children abroad and as older migrants themselves. Transnational caregiving research has demonstrated that for many migrants and their families care arrangements must be negotiated across national borders, yet the agency of transnational older adults has been largely neglected. Based on qualitative fieldwork conducted from 2011 to 2013 in Liège, Belgium, and Oujda, Morocco, the present paper examines the circulation of care between Moroccan adult migrants and their ageing ascendants. This paper exposes the duality of migrants’ ascendants as caregivers and recipients, asserting, firstly, that receiving care is not synonymous with passivity, and that, secondly, migrants’ ascendants are also the initiators of transnational practices. In both roles, this paper underlines mobility as a strategy used by migrants’ parents to maintain intergenerational solidarity across national borders, but that this care mobility is limited by macro-level migration policies, here exemplified by the Belgian migration regime. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Introduction: The impact of intergenerational caregiving on the mental health of providers remains a controversial topic, especially in countries like China where it is prevalent. Given the country's aging population and recent liberalization of the two-child policy, understanding the effects of intergenerational caregiving on the mental health of middle-aged and older adult(s) individuals is crucial. This study aimed to explore the impact of intergenerational caregiving on mental health among middle-aged and older adult(s) individuals., Methods: We analyzed data from the China Health and Aging Tracking Survey (CHARLS) 2013, consisting of 6602 participants finally. Personal information, family structure, financial support, health status, and physical measurements were selected for analysis. Correlation and regression analyses were used for relationships among variables controlling for potential confounding variables. Mental health status was evaluated using the depression self-rating scale., Results: There is a significant positive effect of intergenerational care on the mental health of middle-aged and older adult(s) people. Additionally, we re-profiled intergenerational care variables by considering the number and length of intergenerational caregivers, and found that the effects remained significant. Furthermore, the effects of intergenerational care vary across subgroups based on gender, age, nature of usual residence, marital status, and physical health status. Finally, we identified two mechanisms through which intergenerational caregiving positively affects mental health: intergenerational financial support and intergenerational spiritual support., Discussion: These findings have important implications for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and family members in promoting the mental health of middle-aged and older adult(s) individuals in China., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Yan, Wu, Chen, Xu, Yu and Li.)

Delayed marriage and childbearing, more births outside marriage, the increase in women’s labor force participation, and the aging of the population have altered family life and created new challenges for those with caregiving demands. U.S. mothers have shed hours of housework but not the hours they devote to childrearing. Fathers have increased the time they spend on childcare. Intensive childrearing practices combine with more dual-earning and single parenting to increase the time demands on parents. Mothers continue to scale back paid work to meet childrearing demands. They also give up leisure time and report that they “are always rushed” and are “multitasking most of the time.” Time-stretched working couples reduce the time they spend with each other. A large percentage of both husbands and wives also report they have “too little time” for themselves. Delayed childbearing and the aging population also increase the likelihood that both (adult) children and elderly parents need support and care from workers later in life. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study examines cultural solutions to challenges perceived by African American grandmothers as they interface with "kinship care policy-practice in raising their grandchildren under the auspices of the US child welfare system. Findings suggest the study participants desire to have a voice in the kinship policy-practice process, to be valued, and to have the child welfare system treat them as true partners and valuable experts. The grandmothers provide clear directives to child welfare, kinship policymakers and administrators on specific steps they can take to demonstrate respect for the grandmothers' experiences and expertise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of the 1996 Welfare Reform Act, the Census Bureau is required to determine how many grandparents are serving as caregivers to a grandchild. Using data from the Census 2000 Supplementary Survey, this paper presents demographic information on two types of grandparent households, and outlines the challenges associated with use of the new questions about grandparent care developed by the Census Bureau. We compare skipped-generation households, in which a grandparent and grandchild coreside but no parent is present, to three-generation shared-care households in which the grandparent claims primary responsibility for the grandchild. We focus on two geographic regions of the United States, New England and the Deep South, providing the first report on the prevalence and characteristics of these households, and the extent to which these attributes are geographically variable. We estimate that the population of three-generation shared-care families is at least as large as the population of skipped-generation grandparent care families. We identify a number of differences between skipped-generation and shared-care households, especially with respect to the age of the grandchildren involved and the levels of economic hardship. Significant regional differences are also observed, with grandparent care households of both types being more common in the Deep South than in New England. We conclude that data using these new questions have the potential to greatly enrich our demographic understanding of grandparent households by shedding new light on a type of grandparent care often hidden from analysis: grandparents who are responsible for grandchildren in three-generation households. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Family members, especially adult children, provide the majority of care required by aging relatives. While there is a plethora of literature on family caregiving, generally, the intergenerational caregiving experience is not well documented. The purpose of this article is to explain the articulation of nursing systems with dependent care systems of intergenerational caregivers from three perspectives: (a) Orem's dependent care unit of service, (b) Taylor's interpretation of family as dependent care systems, and (c) Bowers' theory of intergenerational caregiving. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]