Older Adults In Beijing Research Articles

Grandparenting and support from adult children: Does children’s international migration make a difference for Chinese older adults?

ABSTRACTGuided by social exchange theory, this study investigates the association between grandparenting and support from adult children, and the role of children’s international migration in moderating such association. Data were derived from a 2012 survey of older adults in Beijing, China (478 adult children nested in 300 older parents). The results of independent cluster logistic and linear regressions showed that regardless of children’s migration status, grandparenting was significantly associated with a greater likelihood of receiving household help and personal care, but not with emotional or financial support from children. Children’s migration status moderated the associations between grandparenting and receiving support from children. Theoretical implications for research and practical implications for services and policies are discussed.

Subjective experiences of older adults in poverty in urban China and the role of social policy

This study establishes an evidence base regarding the experiences of older adults living in poverty in Beijing. Given the factors that shape the lives of low-income older adults, the findings are relevant for many middle- and low-income countries. Based on a series of in-depth interviews conducted with government officials and low-income older adults in Beijing, the study finds that poverty manifests as cumulative stress arising from four sources: financial strain, poor health, care burden and poverty-related shame. This stress is attributable to the co-existence of individual and structural factors that reflect the framing of anti-poverty policies in China.

Intergenerational Relationships and Psychological Well-Being of Chinese Older Adults With Migrant Children: Does Internal or International Migration Make a Difference?

Relying on a purposive sample of 550 Chinese older adults in Beijing, China, this study examined the potential influence of children’s out-migration, internally or internationally, on intergenerational relationships and parental well-being. By comparing older adults in nonmigrant, internal migrant, transnational, and hybrid (have both migrant and nonmigrant children) families, we found that children’s out-migration only compromised intergenerational contact and instrumental support, but not monetary or emotional support. Older adults of different family types had similar levels of depression and life satisfaction. Those in internal migrant families were most likely to report financial worries, and those in transnational families were most likely to worry about lack of care. The influence of children’s out-migration was further confounded by parents’ coping resources. The findings suggest that the vulnerability of the “left-behind” elderly might have been exaggerated. Future studies shall distinguish different types of migration and the diversity among older adults with migrant children.

Volunteering and its impact on self-identity: results from Chaoyang District in Beijing

Ageism has a negative influence on older peoples’ self-identity and behaviour, forming stereotyped attitudes toward the older population that further aggravate ageism. Volunteerism may reduce ageism by improving older adults’ self-identification. This study examined the association between community volunteering and self-identity, and further explored the relationship between participation level and self-identity among Chinese older adults in Beijing. Logistic regression modelling was applied. After controlling for demographic characteristics, financial security and self-rated health, volunteerism was significantly associated with youthful self-identity. Older people who volunteer at least once a week for no more than two hours at a time are the least likely to identify themselves as being of old age.

Attitudes towards Advance Care Planning and Healthcare Autonomy among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Beijing, China.

Objectives. To investigate the preferences of ACP and healthcare autonomy in community-dwelling older Chinese adults. Methods. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted with older adults living in the residential estate of Chaoyang District, Beijing. Results. 900 residents were enrolled. 80.9% of them wanted to hear the truth regarding their own condition from the physician; 52.4% preferred to make their own healthcare decisions. Only 8.9% of them preferred to endure life-prolonging interventions when faced with irreversible conditions. 78.3% of the respondents had not heard of an ACP; only 39.4% preferred to document in an ACP. Respondents with higher education had significantly higher proportion of having heard of an ACP, as well as preferring to document in an ACP, compared to those with lower education. Those aged <70 years had higher proportion of having heard of an ACP, as well as refusing life-prolonging interventions when faced with irreversible conditions, compared to those aged ≥70 years. Conclusions. Although the majority of community-dwelling older Chinese adults appeared to have healthcare autonomy and refuse life-prolonging interventions in terms of end-of-life care, a low level of “Planning ahead” awareness and preference was apparent. Age and education level may be the influential factors.

Changes in Social Participation of Older Adults in Beijing

Social participation of older adults, an essential part of the active aging strategy, has drawn more attention in Chinese society and is noted in the literature as having positive outcomes on physical and mental health. Based on the 2000 “Survey of the Older Population in Rural and Urban Beijing” and follow-up surveys in 2006 and 2010, this paper focuses on a descriptive analysis of social participation and the resources necessary to participate and analyzes changing willingness and behaviors regarding social participation among older adults in Beijing. Data show that attitudes about social participation were increasingly positive, and a larger proportion of older adults expressed willingness to participate in society. Social participation among older adults increased between the years 2000 and 2006 but remained flat between 2006 and 2010. This paper analyzes the influence of gender, age, marital status, health, and financial stability on behaviors and attitudes of older adults related to social participation and argues that older adults’ attitudes change before behaviors do.

Erratum

Li N, Pang L, Chen G, et al. Risk factors for depression in older adults in Beijing. Can J Psychiatry. 2011;56(8):466–473. It has come to our attention that there was missing affiliation information for 3 authors. The correct positions and affiliations are shown below: The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry regrets the error and any inconvenience it might have caused.

Risk Factors for Depression in Older Adults in Beijing

Depression is a common mental disorder in older adults. We examined the prevalence and risk factors for depression in older adults in the Beijing area. We used data from a cross-sectional survey conducted in July 2006 in Beijing. As part of the national survey for older Chinese adults, 2002 older adults were interviewed. The 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale was used to assess depression. Demographics as well as other personal information were also collected. Among Beijing older adults, 13.01% were categorized as depressed. Prevalence rates of depression in rural and urban older adults were 26.63% and 10.79%, respectively. Poor economic status, high activities of daily living (ADL) score, poor physical health, impious offspring, and feeling old were important predictors of depression in older adults in Beijing. For the urban sample, poor economic status, poor physical health, high ADL score, and impious offspring were risk factors for depression. For the rural sample, depression was significantly associated with poor economic status and poor physical health. Depression is a common mood disorder among older adults in the Beijing area. Filial piety is a unique predictor for depression in older Chinese adults, compared with findings in Western cultures.

Stroke and active life expectancy among older adults in Beijing, China

Purpose. Increasing stroke prevalence, population ageing and economic change in China necessitate a better understanding of the impact of stroke. This study examines the impact of stroke on disability and trends over time.Method. Data are from longitudinal surveys conducted in the Beijing municipality from 1992 to 1997 and 2000 to 2004. Multi-state life tables constructed from hazard models are used to estimate life expectancy (LE) and active life expectancy (ALE). The active state is defined using six functional tasks and mortality is determined using interviewer follow-ups.Results. LE and ALE are higher among those without stroke. Population-based estimates for the cohort observed beginning in 1992 indicate LE at age 55 of about 17 for those who have had a stroke and about 21 for others, whereas years of active life are about 14 and 19, respectively. Disability status at baseline is important for determining ALE. For those active, LE and ALE patterns are similar regardless of stroke status. For those inactive, the stroke group lives almost their entire lives inactive. Stroke reduces years of life by 20–40%, but active life by up to 90%.Conclusion. Trends in ALE among those with stroke suggest possible influences of rapid development, concomitant improvement in health care and an increased focus on disease management.

The Use of GDS-15 Among the Older Adults in Beijing

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to examine the psychometric properties of the GDS-15 among a sample of older adults in Beijing. A cross-sectional and correlational design was adopted. Through a stratified sampling procedure, 511 older adults were interviewed, using a standardized questionnaire. A second interview was then conducted on 48 older adults to evaluate the test-retest reliability of the GDS-15. Results of the analysis indicated that the reliability of the GDS-15 in terms of internal consistency (Cronbach α = .80) and test-retest reliability (r = .73) was satisfactory. Concurrent validity of the GDS-15 was demonstrated by its differential relationships with negative and positive affect. Significant relationships of the GDS-15 with life satisfaction, self-rated health, somatic symptoms, and social support also provided indirect evidence for the construct validity of the measurement.