Grandchild Care Research Articles

Are the grandparents alright? The health consequences of grandparental childcare provision

This paper examines the causal effect of childcare provision on grandparents’ health in the United States. We use the sex ratio among older adults’ children as an instrument for grandparental childcare provision. Our instrument exploits that parents of daughters transition to grandparenthood earlier and invest more in their grandchildren than parents of sons. We estimate 2SLS regressions using data from the Health and Retirement Study. The results suggest that providing childcare is detrimental to grandparents’ physical functioning and subjective health. We show that these effects increase with the intensity of grandchild care provision, and the effects are driven primarily by grandmothers.

The Association Between Grandchild Care and Biological Aging Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in China.

Substantial evidence documents grandchild care is associated with self-reported health, life satisfaction, and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older adults. However, little is known about the relationship between grandchild care and biological aging, especially in China, which emphasizes the unique cultural value of family. The current study sheds light on the biological consequence of grandchild care by examining the link between grandchild care and biological aging among middle-aged and older adults in China, and how gender and spousal involvement in caregiving affect this link. In a representative sample of Chinese adults aged 45-80 from the third wave of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study in 2015 (n = 3,384), we calculate biological age using Klemera-Doubal Method, and Ordinary Least Square models are used to examine the correlation between grandchild care and biological aging. High intensity of involvement in grandchild care is related to biological aging, and caring for grandchildren alone predicts greater biological aging. Compared with grandfathers, grandmothers lose more from grandchild care regardless of whether their husbands are involved in the care. Providing grandchild care should be a way to cope with age-related role discontinuity or loss, rather result in extra stress or burden for grandparents. Reducing the intensity of caregiving or increasing family support may attenuate the extent of biological aging.

Changes in Resources and Volunteering: A Longitudinal Study of Active Engagement Among Older Europeans.

Volunteering is an important dimension of successful aging. Although prior studies have found that personal resources such as health and financial situations are associated with volunteering, there is a lack of research exploring the relationship between resource changes and volunteering. Here, we investigated whether changes in individuals' resources were associated with volunteer engagement among older Europeans. Using data from the Survey of Health, Aging, and Retirement in Europe, collected in five waves between 2011 and 2020 across 19 countries (57,410 observations from 17,498 individuals aged 50 and above), we employed asymmetric fixed-effect ordinal regression models to investigate whether positive or negative resource changes were associated with the frequency of volunteering over time. We used three resource indicators: health, financial condition, and time availability (measured by engagement in paid work, grandparenting, and family care). Health deterioration and worsening financial condition were associated with a decreased frequency of volunteering. A transition out of weekly paid work and beginning to provide weekly grandchild care were both associated with an increased frequency of volunteering. We did not detect any further significant effects of resource changes on volunteering. Our study revealed asymmetrical associations between changes in resources and volunteering, providing new insights into their interplay. The results deepen our understanding of successful aging by emphasizing the need to consider the dynamics of all resources that either facilitate or hinder active engagements among older adults.

Parent-Child Relationship Typologies and Associated Health Status Among Older Adults in the United States and China: A Cross-Cultural Comparison.

Cultural differences in intergenerational relationships have been well established in prior research. However, cross-national comparison evidence on the parent-child relationship and its health implications remains limited. Data from the 2014 U.S. Health and Retirement Study and the 2015 Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study in China were used (N US, non-Hispanic Whites only = 3,918; N China = 4,058). Relationship indicators included coresidence, living nearby, having weekly contact, receiving assistance with daily activities, providing grandchild care, and financial transfer to/from children. Latent class and regression analyses were conducted. Four classes were identified for non-Hispanic White older Americans: (1) distant and uninvolved (6.58%), (2) geographically proximate with frequent contact and downward support (47.04%), (3) coresident with frequent contact and upward support (13.1%), and (4) geographically proximate with frequent contact (33.28%). Three classes were identified among older Chinese: (1) coresident with frequent contact and upward support (37.46%), (2) coresident/interdependent (25.65%), and (3) geographically proximate with frequent contact and upward financial support (36.89%). For non-Hispanic White older Americans, providing downward support was associated with fewer functional limitations and better cognition. Receiving instrumental support from children was associated with more depressive symptoms, more functional limitations, and poorer cognition among older Chinese. Cultural contrasts were evident in parent-child relationship typologies and their health implications. Compared to the U.S. non-Hispanic Whites, parent-child relationships in China tended to be closerand associated with poorer health status. The findings call for culturally relevant strategies to improve parent-child relationships and ultimately promote the health of older adults.

The Perceived Quality of Life of Older People in Spain Who Care for Grandchildren and Related Variables: A Mixed Methods Study.

Grandparental care of grandchildren is a prevalent social phenomenon. This study explores the perceptions of health-related quality of life of grandparents caring for their grandchildren. A mixed methods design was developed. In the first phase, participants were interviewed using a baseline questionnaire. The second phase consisted of focus groups with 19 of the 100 participants in the quantitative phase. The scores obtained from the quantitative analysis are in line with the qualitative data; they reflect that grandparent carers who are more involved in the care of their grandchildren have more symptoms of depression and stress and have poorer perceptions of physical health-related quality of life. What may at first appear to be a positive aspect, keeping grandparent carers active, can become negative when it comes to shared care and when the grandparents' willingness to provide care is abused.

A within-subject examination of grandparents’ physical activity and sedentary behavior levels in the presence or absence of grandchild care provision

BackgroundThis study aimed to examine within-subject differences in levels of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) among Flemish grandparents aged 50 years and older during a day of providing versus not providing grandchild care. Additionally, grandparents’ PA and SB levels of the specific caregiving moment within the included care day were also compared with those of the corresponding specific time frame on the matching non-care day.MethodsData were obtained and pooled from three assessment time points of the Healthy Grandparenting Project. Objectively measured PA and SB levels were assessed through ActiGraphs wGT3x(+) worn during waking hours for seven consecutive days and expressed relative to the total wear time of the selected days or moments (i.e., percentage of time per day or per moment). Generalized linear mixed models were used to evaluate the within-subject differences in grandparents’ light intensity PA (LIPA), moderate-to-vigorous intensity PA (MVPA) and SB levels between a care and non-care day as well as between the care and non-care moment of those respective days.ResultsA total of 92 grandparents (64.6 ± 4.8 years, 67.4% women) were included in the analyses. During the care day and care moment, grandparents showed higher relative levels of LIPA (∆=4.0% and ∆=7.9%, respectively) and lower relative levels of SB (∆=3.7% and ∆=6.7%, respectively) as compared to their respective non-care day and non-care moment (all p < 0.001). While there was no significant difference in relative MVPA levels between a day of providing versus not providing grandchild care (∆=0.3%, p = 0.500), the grandparents showed significantly lower relative levels of MVPA during the specific care moment against the non-care moment (∆=1.3%, p = 0.029).ConclusionsThe higher percentage of time of LIPA and lower percentage of time spent on SB during a care day and care moment compared to a non-care day and non-care moment, highlight the positive impact of grandchild care provision on grandparents’ activity levels, potentially improving other health-related outcomes. Furthermore, grandparents seem to compensate for their lower MVPA levels during the actual care moment since no differences in MVPA levels were found at day level when compared to a day without grandchild care.Trial registrationclinicaltrials.gov, Identifier: NTC04307589. Registered March 2020.

Through the eyes of grandparents: an in-depth exploration of the nexus between grandchild caring and the psychological well-being of older grandparents

BackgroundGrandchild caring has positive as well as negative impact on the grandparents’ psychological well-being and the findings are varied by culture and country.MethodsPresent study was intended to understand the relationship between caring for grandchildren and psychological well-being of grandparents living in skipped (SGH) and multi-generational households (MGH) in Indian demographical context. The present research involved In-depth Interviews (IDI) focusing on grandparents above 60 and grandchildren below 18, where the elder played a crucial role in caregiving. The study area was Malda, a district of West Bengal in India. Purposively 24 IDIs were selected. Psychological well-being was measured using open-ended questions. Thematic and content analyses were adopted to understand the perspective of grandparents.ResultsMost of the grandparents from SGH reported depression word frequently, while grandparents from MGH reported happy. In the content analysis, grandparents from SGH expressed tension, mental turmoil, and worry about grandchild’s future. On the contrary, grandparents from MGH expressed happy, companionship, and worry about grandchild’s future. Further, full time caring, compulsive reason behind grandchild caring, and working status were linked with living in SGH and grandchild caring, which were in turn connected with deteriorate psychological health. However, in MGH, a different scenario was observed, most grandparents were partially and non-compulsively engaged in grandchild caring and had expressed positive mental health.ConclusionsThe Findings provide an intervention implication, particularly in the context of India’s ageing population and their well-being by acknowledging the influence of household structure, caring intensity, motive behind grandchild caring, and working status on their psychological health. Understanding the importance of these key factors may help the policy maker and the individual to incorporate the most effective intervention to achieve sustainable development goal 3 and healthy ageing.

Are grandparents a good substitute for parents as the primary caregiver? The impact of grandparents on Children's academic performance

This study examines the impacts of caregiving by grandparents on children's academic performance in China. Using data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS 2010 and 2014), we find evidence that grandparents appear to have an adverse effect on the test scores of their school-age grandchildren, and the negative effect is concentrated on grandparents with lower educational attainment and on boys. We further examine the mechanisms of this negative effect. Our results suggest that parenting styles play an important role in the success of grandchildren and the common parenting styles of grandparents in China compromise childhood development. Given that grandparents taking care of grandchild is prevalent nowadays and its negative effect on children's academic performance is worrisome, our results have important policy implication: parenting training could help to mitigate the negative effects of non-parental caregivers.

Becoming a Self-reliant Elder: Fading Intergenerational Reciprocity and Pursuing Active Aging among Middle-class Seniors in Urban China

The aging population is China’s most daunting challenge of the coming decades and has brought about profound consequences for Chinese society. Drawing upon the ethnographic work conducted in Guangzhou city from 2020 to 2023, the present study aims to show some most recent development regarding intergenerational reciprocity among older adults’ aging experience in urban China. The ethnographic accounts reveal the emergence of a concept termed “self-reliant elders” (省心老人), which represents a departure from traditional cultural norms that emphasize grandchild care as the primary source of psychological and economic well-being for the elderly. Instead, these individuals prioritize independence in their later years and actively seek alternatives to family care, such as engaging in social activities and pursuing employment, to maintain a sense of being cared for and to uphold their self-worth. Concurrently, they also invest efforts in fostering harmonious relationships with younger generations through family-oriented activities and online communication. As China faces the challenges posed by its aging population, it becomes crucial to implement practical measures that enhance access to elderly care resources and support the self-reliance of older adults in order to address the emerging trend of aging.

Gender Differences in the Protective Role of Grandparenting in Dementia Risk.

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. 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. 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. 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.

중년여성이 인지하는 자녀의 결혼, 임신, 출산, 손자녀 양육에 관한 현상학적 연구

The purpose of this study was to deeply understand the perceptions of middle-aged women regarding their adult children's marriage, pregnancy, childbirth, and grandchild rearing, using a phenomenological research method, and to attempt to provide empirical evidence for improving low birth rates. This study was a phenomenological qualitative research, and the participants were seven middle-aged women who had adult daughters. Data collection was conducted through individual in-depth interviews from July 1, 2023, to September 20, 2023. The data analysis followed the six steps of phenomenological research analysis presented by Collaizzi. From meaningful statements made by middle-aged women about their perceptions of their childre's marriage, pregnancy, childbirth, and grandchild rearing, seven thematic clusters and fifteen themes were identified. The seven thematic clusters were: “Desiring their child to start married life when they are ready and prepared,” “Wishing for childbirth and parenting to proceed without difficulties,” “Wanting to have grandchildren who can be relied upon without causing trouble to their own child,” “Together preparing for the challenges of being parents,” “Wanting to be a supporter as a senior during the challenging childbirth process,” “Actively supporting postpartum care for the daughter who overcame difficulties,” and “Assisting in the support of grandchild rearing and the independence of their own child.” Through this study, middle-aged women with adult daughters gained an understanding of their perceptions and perspectives on their daughters' marriage, pregnancy, childbirth, and the care of grandchildren. The findings could serve as foundational data for the development of future population-related programs and policies.

THE IMPACT OF GRANDCHILD PROBLEMS ON CORESIDENTIAL GRANDMOTHERS’ SITUATIONAL APPRAISALS

Abstract The lives of coresidential grandmothers and their families are often complicated by grandchild health, behavioral, and educational problems Using data from a nationwide sample of 342 American grandmothers living with and raising grandchildren, we examine the effect of grandchild physical, behavioral, and educational problems on co-residential grandmothers’ appraisals of: how positive their living situation is for themselves and for their grandchildren and their self-appraised stress and reward related to living with and caring for grandchildren. Participants lived with 1-7 grandchildren under the age of 18 (mean=1.82, SD 1.04), and grandchild problems were dichotomized on the basis of whether they were reported for any co-residential grandchild. We ran independent t-tests comparing grandchild problems against participants’ responses to the 4 situational appraisals (measured on a 10 point visual analog scale). The presence of grandchild health problems did not affect grandmother’s appraisal of their own living situation or their caregiving reward, but was significantly associated with a lower mean appraisal of how positive their living situation was for their grandchildren (8.39vs8.80) as well as higher reported caregiving stress. Grandchild behavioral problems were significantly associated with lower appraisals of grandmother’s own living situation (6.69vs7.53), grandchild living situation (8.45vs8.91), lower caregiving reward (7.36vs8.31)and higher caregiving stress (8.09vs6.81). Educational problems were significantly associated with lower appraisals of grandmother’s own living situation (6.70vs7.34), grandchild living situation (8.18vs8.93), lower caregiving reward (7.41vs8.06)and higher caregiving stress (8.18vs7.06). These analyses show the complex interaction between grandchild problems and grandmother perceptions of their own and their grandchildren’s’ lives.

A CROSS-CULTURAL EXAMINATION OF SOCIAL PARTICIPATION, FAMILY INTERACTION, AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS

Abstract Social participation and family interaction are core components of later life. Less is known about cross-cultural differences regarding the relationships between social participation, financial support, caregiving, and depressive symptoms among older adults. This study aimed to estimate the association between these factors and depressive symptoms among older adults in Europe and China. We selected individuals aged 60 years and above from the 2017 Harmonized Survey of Health, Ageing, and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) (n = 11,676) and the 2018 Harmonized China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) (n = 5,559). Stepwise linear regression was used to analyze the data. Participation in social activities was found to be associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms among both European and Chinese older adults. Among Chinese older adults, providing financial transfers to adult children was associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms, whereas transfers to older parents was not significant. Care for older parents was associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms, while caregiving for children or grandchildren was not significant. Among European older adults, providing financial transfers to others was not significant. Care for grandchildren was associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms, while caring for other family members was associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms. In conclusion, participation in social activities, providing financial transfers to adult children, and caring for older parents have positive effect on psychological well-being of Chinese older adults. For European older adults, social activities and caring for grandchildren prove to be more beneficial.

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

ObjectiveThis 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.MethodThe 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.ResultThe 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.ConclusionThis 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.

Do residential patterns affect women's labor market performance? An empirical study based on CHFS data.

Based on China Household Finance Survey (CHFS) data from 2019, this paper explores the impact of the residential pattern of coresidence with parents on the labor market performance of women in married families with minor children. The study finds that coresidence with parents significantly increases the possibility of female labor market participation and positively impacts women's employment income. To overcome the potential endogeneity problem of residential patterns, this paper uses the Heckman two-step method and the conditional mixed process estimation method (CMP method) for regression, and the conclusions remain robust. The mechanism analysis shows that coresidence with parents has both grandchild care and elderly care factors, which have a spillover effect and a crowding-out effect on female labor market performance, respectively. Since the spillover effect is more significant than the crowding-out effect, coresidence with parents positively impacts women's labor market performance. The heterogeneity analysis shows that in terms of labor force participation rate, coresidence with parents has a more significant impact on women in families with children aged 0-6, women in families without boys, and women in families with employed husbands. In terms of income, coresidence with parents has a more significant impact on women in families with employed husbands. This study provides a new perspective for promoting female labor market performance and can serve as a reference for future policy formulation.

Determinants of caregiving grandparents’ physical activity and sedentary behavior: a qualitative study using focus group discussions

BackgroundEvidence on the factors influencing physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) in middle-aged and older adults taking care of their grandchild(ren) is limited, even though this knowledge seems imperative when considering the unique relationship between grandparents and their grandchild(ren) as well as the rising popularity of intergenerational interventions targeting these energy-expenditure related behaviors. Therefore, this explorative qualitative study aimed to identify the determinants of PA and SB levels among Flemish caregiving grandparents in the presence of their grandchild(ren) aged between 0–5 years.MethodsSix online focus group discussions were conducted via Microsoft Teams, all of which were audio- and videotaped with permission granted by the participating grandparents. In total, nine caregiving grandfathers and 28 caregiving grandmothers (overall mean age = 60.9 ± 4.1y) participated in this study. An inductive content analysis approach was used to derive subcategories, categories and themes from the verbatim transcribed data using NVivo R1.ResultsCaregiving grandparents’ levels of PA and SB were both influenced by personal determinants (e.g., physical health, grandparental perceptions and responsibilities), interpersonal determinants (e.g., characteristics of the grandchild(ren), such as age-related physical/motor development and family interaction), and environmental determinants (e.g., weather and seasonal circumstances). PA levels of caregiving grandparents were further affected by additional personal determinants (e.g., age of the grandparent, planning and location) and interpersonal determinants (e.g., characteristics of the grandchild(ren), such as new experiences of the grandchild(ren)). Additionally, some personal determinants (e.g., perception of educational value) and interpersonal determinants (e.g., characteristics of the grandchild(ren), such as age-related cognitive development and health of the grandchild(ren)) were strictly mentioned to influence caregiving grandparents’ SB.ConclusionsAcknowledging the unique relationship between grandparents and their grandchild(ren), the current study identified specific factors determining grandparents’ PA and SB levels during the provision of grandchild care. Besides, it turned out of importance to take the interplay between the different determinants into account. Especially, for those grandparents with older grandchild(ren), within the studied 0–5 years age range, more attention should be paid to grandchild characteristics as part of the interpersonal determinants when setting up interventions to improve levels of PA and SB in caregiving grandparents.

Impacts of grandparenting on older Chinese adults’ mental health: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe practice of grandparenting has been growing in popularity worldwide, particularly in Asian societies. Nevertheless, there is a lack of thorough studies investigating the mental health effects of grandchild care on grandparents, particularly within the family context. The present study aimed to explore the impact of grandparenting on depressive symptoms in older Chinese adults, taking into account the functional role of intergenerational support.MethodsUsing the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS, 2014 and 2018, N = 9,486), we employed the Pooled Ordinary Least Square method (POLS) to explore the association between depressive symptoms and grandparenting intensity as well as include the interaction terms to investigate the role of intergenerational support among grandparents aged from 60 to 80.ResultsAfter adjusting for control variables, both non-intensive (-0.17; 95% CI: -0.30, -0.03) and intensive (-0.69; 95% CI: -0.95, -0.43) childcare, as well as giving financial support to adult children (-0.06; 95% CI: -0.08, -0.04) and emotional closeness with them (-0.94; 95% CI: -1.15, -0.72), were found to have a positive impact on the mental health of grandparents. Giving financial support (non-intensive: -0.04, 95% CI: -0.07, -0.01; intensive: -0.06, 95% CI: -0.13, -0.01) and providing instrumental support to adult children (non-intensive: -0.12, 95% CI: -0.24, -0.01; intensive: -0.19, 95% CI: -0.37, -0.02) moderated the association between grandparenting and the mental health of older adults, regardless of care intensity. However, the moderating role of receiving financial support (-0.07; 95% CI: -0.12, -0.02) only existed when non-intensive childcare was provided.ConclusionGrandchild care predicted better mental health in grandparents, mainly when they engaged in intensive grandparenting. Emotional closeness and providing financial support to adult children brought mental health benefits to grandparents involved in childcare. Giving financial support and providing instrumental support to adult children moderated the association between grandparenting and the mental health of older adults. However, the moderating role of receiving financial support from adult children only existed when non-intensive childcare was provided.

Keeping Us Young? Grandchild Caregiving and Older Adults' Cognitive Functioning.

This study investigates longitudinal associations between providing care to grandchildren and cognitive functioning. It also examines heterogeneity in these relationships. Grandchild caregiving may support older adults' cognitive functioning by providing social engagement and emotional meaning. However, studies caution that time- intensive or custodial grandchild caregiving can take a toll on grandparents. The cognitive health implications of grandchild caregiving may thus depend on contexts including time spent providing care and living arrangements. They may also vary across sociodemographic groups and have greater effects on older adults who are more vulnerable to cognitive decline. Data came from the 1998-2016 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) and represented over 11,000 U.S. adults age 50+. Using linear growth curve and dynamic panel models, the analysis explored relationships between level of grandchild care and cognitive functioning over time and across sociodemographic, family, work and health characteristics. Those providing 100-199, 200-499 or 500+ hours of care to grandchildren had better cognitive functioning than non-caregivers regardless of whether they lived with grandchildren. Positive links between grandchild caregiving and cognition were stronger for lower income, non-working, and unpartnered adults and grew with age and functional limitations. These findings suggest that providing care to minor grandchildren may help support cognitive functioning as adults age. They also support the hypothesis that more vulnerable or isolated groups of older adults may benefit the most from grandchild caregiving.

The Profile of Stress and Coping Related to Successful Aging Among Chinese Migrant and Nonmigrant Grandparents.

Around eight million older adults have internally migrated to take care of grandchildren in China. This study aimed to explore how Chinese migrant and nonmigrant grandparents perceived successful aging and how they coped with challenges to successful aging. Based on ecological systems theory, semistructured interviews were conducted among 21 grandparents (12 migrants, median age = 59 years old) from urban areas in China who provided noncustodial grandchild care. Deductive content analysis was employed to examine the data pertaining to the definition of successful aging, the stressors encountered, and coping strategies employed by both groups. Findings revealed that both migrant and nonmigrant grandparents placed a higher emphasis on family prosperity than their own physical health, in their definitions of successful aging. Although both groups experienced common stressors in the microsystem (e.g., intergenerational conflicts), migrant grandparents uniquely encountered stressors in the mesosystem (e.g., hardships in their close relationships) and in the macrosystem (e.g., uncertainty in aging preparation). In terms of coping, migrant grandparents exhibited a distinctive pattern of utilizing avoidant coping strategies when navigating intergenerational conflicts and planning for their later life, compared to nonmigrant grandparents. Our findings suggested that although migration was not associated with grandparents' definition of successful aging, migrant grandparents encountered specific challenges in achieving successful aging. This highlights the necessity of providing more support to grandparents through the family, community, or state, particularly to those who are migrants.

Does grandchild care intention, intergenerational support have an impact on the health of older adults in China? A quantitative study of CFPS data.

With the rising of fertility cost and the implementation of the "universal three-child" policy, the model of intergenerational support for grandchild is becoming an inevitable choice for more and more families in China. As the number of grandchildren increases and the interval between births extends, will the grandchild care intention and grandparents' health be affected? Based on the data of China Family Panel Studies from 2018 and 2020, this study used multiple linear regression and multiple mediation tests to investigate the effect of grandchild care intention and intergenerational support on the health of older adults. Firstly, actively taking care of grandchild has increased the self-rated health and mental health of older adults by 11.8 and 10.7%, respectively. Secondly, there is heterogeneity in the effect of intergenerational support from adults on health in their parents, among them, economic support improves the physical health by 5.5%; life care increases the self-rated and physical health by 3.3 and 0.8% respectively; emotional comfort improves the physical and mental health by 2.5 and 2.9%, respectively. Thirdly, grandchild care intention has a mediating effect on the health of older adults through economic support, life care, and emotional comfort. The grandchild care intention has positive effect on the health of older adults. The intergenerational supports (economic support, emotional comfort, and life care) have heterogeneous effects on the health of older adults, such as economic support mainly affects the physical health. Older adults who actively take care of their grandchild are more likely to gain intergenerational support and feedback from their adult children, transforming intergenerational support into a "win-win" model of resource reciprocity between generations. Based on this, it is necessary to re-establish the value identity of "caring for older adults" and "raising grandchildren" at the cultural level, continuously improve the fertility support policies at the government level and establish "caring for older adults" support platform at the social level.