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Gender Differences in the Protective Role of Grandparenting in Dementia Risk.
- Source :
-
The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences [J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci] 2024 Jun 01; Vol. 79 (6). - Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- Objectives: This study provides one of the first national longitudinal studies of the association between caring for grandchildren (i.e., grandparenting) and the risk of dementia in the United States, with a focus on gender-specific variations.<br />Methods: We estimated discrete-time event history models, drawing upon data from the Health and Retirement Study (2000-2016). The analytic sample included 10,217 community-dwelling White and Black grandparents aged 52 years and older at baseline.<br />Results: Noncoresident grandparenting was associated with a lower risk of dementia for both women and men compared to grandparents who did not take care of grandchildren. However, the cognitive advantage showed different patterns based on gender and the combination of care intensity and family structure. Grandmothers had a lower risk of dementia than noncaregiving grandmothers when providing a light level of noncoresident grandparenting, whereas grandfathers who provided intensive noncoresident grandparenting had a reduced risk of dementia compared to their noncaregiving counterparts. Grandparenting experiences within multigenerational households and skipped-generation households were not associated with dementia risk.<br />Discussion: Intergenerational caregiving plays a pivotal role in shaping cognitive health during later life; however, the impact is nuanced, depending on factors such as gender, care intensity, and family structure.<br /> (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our siteāfor further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.)
- Subjects :
- Humans
Female
Male
Aged
Middle Aged
Longitudinal Studies
Sex Factors
United States epidemiology
Intergenerational Relations
Aged, 80 and over
Risk Factors
Caregivers psychology
Caregivers statistics & numerical data
Protective Factors
Independent Living psychology
Dementia epidemiology
Dementia prevention & control
Grandparents psychology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1758-5368
- Volume :
- 79
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 38486366
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbae034