Economic Stress Among Adult-Child Caregivers of the Oldest Old in China: The Importance of Contextual Factors

Abstract

Guided by Pearlin's stress process model, this study tested the association between parents' care needs, caregivers' structural context, and caregivers' perception of economic stress in providing care for their parents. Multinomial probit regression was conducted with the cross-sectional data from 895 pairs of Chinese oldest-old parents and their adult-child caregivers. The results indicate that caregiver's low income, and reporting "eldest son" status increased the likelihood of reporting higher levels of economic stress. Caregivers who lived in urban areas, had poor health, or were divorced, widowed or unmarried reported higher levels of economic stress. These findings indicate the need of research on low-income caregivers and the relationship between filial norms and caregiving experience. This study also implies the need for culturally congruent social services and policies designed to enhance the family's ability to care for elders.