Older Parents Research Articles

Luxury or normal goods? Evidence from the utilization of institutional care services for the disabled older adults in China.

Nursing care is essential for older adults with disabilities. Income plays a crucial role in determining the utilization of institutional care services. Pension benefit, as the main source of income for the older adults in China's cities and towns in their later years, is an important factor influencing the utilization of institutional care services. However, there have been no consistent findings on how pension benefits affect the utilization of institutional care services for the disabled older adults. This paper utilizes data from the 2017-2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. We select disabled older adults aged 65 and older, living in towns and cities, and use a probit regression model to investigate the impact of pension benefits on the utilization of institutional care services by urban disabled older adults empirically. The study shows that a 1% increase in pension benefits raises the probability that the urban disabled older adults use institutional care services by 0.03. It also finds that for low-income urban disabled older adults, the effect is statistically significantly positive at the 1% level; but for high-income urban disabled older adults, the effect is not statistically significant. The pension benefits significantly increase the probability for the disabled older adults who are male, financially dependent, and live in townships. In addition, the pension benefits significantly reduce the probability that children will provide care and pay for care services for their older parents. Institutional care service is a normal good for the urban disabled older adults, especially for low-income older adults. Therefore, higher pension benefit raises the probability of utilizing institutional care services for the urban older adults with disabilities, and this positive effect is especially pronounced for older adults who are male, financially dependent, and reside in townships. In addition, increase in the pension benefits for the disabled older adults in towns and cities reduces the burden on children by reducing the probability that children will provide care and pay for care services for the older adults.

Lawyers’ encounter with parents subjected to elder abuse by their adult offspring with mental disorders

ABSTRACT One in six older adults in the world is subjected to abuse (WHO 2022). In Israel, a national survey indicated an 18.4% prevalence of elder abuse. Older parents of an offspring with mental disorder are at increased risk of abuse. Exploring lawyers’ experiences in elder abuse cases involving offspring with mental disorders. A qualitative study was conducted using in-depth interviews with 15 lawyers intervening via civil law in cases of elder abuse. Three themes were revealed: ‘A seething kettle’ – abusive offspring characteristics and family interactions; From a ‘pure lawyer’ to a ‘therapeutic lawyer’ – Transition from being a lawyer who examines intervention solely through a legal lens, to a lawyer who also considers the therapeutic aspects; How could things be different? Recommendations regarding training for lawyers; Expanding multidisciplinary teams including mental health professionals; Establishing therapeutic courts. Findings strengthened empirical evidence about the relationship between an abuser’s characteristics and their interaction with his or her parents as risk factors for abuse. Therefore, effective intervention should aim to assist both older adult victims and their abusive offspring, integrating legal and therapeutic approaches; Repositioning of lawyers as ‘therapeutic lawyers’ and establishing therapeutic courts may facilitate the necessary change.

Transnational aging: A scoping review on the mental health and well-being of older migrant parents

ABSTRACT Introduction: This scoping review addresses a critical yet underresearched area in migration studies: the mental health and well-being of older parents in first-generation migrant families. It explores how these individuals navigate the complexities of transnational aging and the implications for their mental health and well-being. The study is essential in evolving global migration and demographic shifts. Methods: This review followed Arksey and O’Malley’s methodological framework for scoping reviews and is reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses-ScR checklist. The review extensively examined both academic and grey literature in English, without any restrictions on the publication date. A total of 8 studies were carefully selected for analysis, ensuring a broad representation of methodologies and viewpoints. Results: The review identified five primary themes that significantly impact the mental health and well-being of older parents in first-generation migrant families: (a) psychological well-being and depression, (b) social networks and family ties, (c) economic factors, (d) acculturation and cultural adaptation, and (e) policy implications and support systems. Discussion: The review underscores the necessity of a multidimensional approach that considers aging, cultural, and socioeconomic factors. When focusing on mental health and well-being, studies primarily centered on medical and chronic conditions were excluded. This selection criterion shapes the review’s outcomes, emphasizing the psychosocial and cultural dimensions over direct medical aspects. Future research could incorporate health-related studies to present a more comprehensive understanding of the transnational aging experience. In addition, further research could explore the impact of global health challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, on this demographic, deepening our understanding of their unique experiences and needs in diverse sociocultural and health contexts.

Formation of older preschoolers’ skills to analyze and evaluate information

The article reveals the essence and significance of the process of mastering the initial information skills of older preschoolers in a digital society. The features of the formation of information skills in older preschool children, in particular, the ability to analyze and critically evaluate the information received, are considered. Based on the analysis of psychological and pedagogical literature and advanced pedagogical experience, the pedagogical conditions for the formation of information skills in older preschoolers are formulated. The role of adults in the process of formation of children’s initial information skills is revealed. The types of activities that contribute to the formation of information skills in older preschoolers, which teachers and parents can successfully use, are indicated.

Impact of visit characteristics on intention to recommend HPV vaccine: An experiment with US health care professionals

ObjectivePresumptive recommendations that assume parents want to vaccinate can increase human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake. We sought to examine how visit characteristics affect health care professionals' (HCPs) intention to use this evidence-based recommendation style. MethodsIn 2022, we conducted an online experiment with 2527 HCPs who had a role in adolescent vaccination in the United States. Participants read 1 of 8 randomly assigned vignettes about a well-child visit. Using a 2 × 2 × 2 between-subjects factorial design, the vignettes varied the following visit characteristics: patient age (9 vs. 12-year-old), prior parental vaccine refusal (yes vs. no), and time pressure on the HCP (low vs. high). HCPs reported on their intention to use a presumptive HPV vaccine recommendation, as well as on related attitudes, subjective norms, and self-efficacy. Analyses used 3-way analysis of variance and parallel mediation. ResultsParticipants were pediatricians (26%), family/general medicine physicians (22%), advanced practitioners (24%), and nursing staff (28%). Overall, about two-thirds of HCPs (64%) intended to use a presumptive recommendation. Intentions were higher for older children (b = 0.23) and parents without prior vaccine refusal (b = 0.39, both p < 0.001). Time pressure had no main effect or interactions. HCPs' attitudes and self-efficacy partially mediated effects of patient age and prior vaccine refusal (range of b = 0.04–0.28, all p < 0.05). ConclusionTo better support visits with younger children and parents who have refused vaccines, HCPs may need more training for making presumptive recommendations for HPV vaccine. Reinforcing positive attitudes and self-efficacy can help HCPs adopt this evidence-based recommendation style.

The death of an adult child and trajectories of parental depressive symptoms: A gender-based longitudinal analysis

RationaleDespite the existing body of research on the impact of child bereavement, little is known about whether time to the death of an adult child is longitudinally associated with changes in depressive symptoms among older parents. ObjectiveThis study examines (a) trajectories of depressive symptoms before and after the loss of an adult child and (b) whether these trajectories differ across parent-child gender dyads (father-son, father-daughter, mother-son, and mother-daughter). MethodsUsing eight waves of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing (KLoSA), this study employs fixed effects models to mitigate potential bias due to unobserved individual-level heterogeneity. Gender-stratified fixed effects models were estimated to investigate potential heterogeneity in the trajectories of depressive symptoms by parent-child gender dyads. ResultsThe result of this study revealed that depressive symptoms increased within the first year following the loss of an adult child among bereaved parents. Within a year of the loss of a child, both mothers and fathers experienced an increase in depressive symptoms. However, only fathers experienced lasting effects for up to two years. Different patterns in psychological adjustment to bereavement were observed across different parent-child gender dyads. Among daughter-bereaved fathers, depressive symptoms surged within the first year and persisted even beyond the fourth year of loss. In contrast, for other dyads, only an immediate rise in depressive symptoms within the first year of loss was observed. ConclusionsThe loss of an adult child increases the depressive symptoms of parents. This study highlights the importance of considering the different trajectories of psychological adjustment to bereavement, particularly based on parent-child gender dyads, when formulating policies for providing psychological support to older parents who have experienced the loss of their child.

Assessing the impact of caregiving for older parents on caregivers' health: Initial health status and trajectories of physical and mental health among midlife caregivers for parents and parents-in-law in Britain

Assessing the impact of caregiving for older parents on caregivers’ health is increasingly important in the context of population changes and curtailment of state provided services. This has been extensively studied but results are inconsistent, possibly reflecting a lack of attention to health-related selection into the caregiver role.We use data from a nationally representative UK longitudinal study to analyse differences in the health of people aged 40–69 at baseline by whether they were ‘eligible’ to provide parent care (with a living parent/parent-in-law) and by whether they subsequently assumed a caregiver role. We measured initial health status using a latent variable derived from three observer-recorded indicators as well as self-reported health. We analysed trajectories of physical and mental health over a seven-year follow-up for those providing intensive care (20+ hours per week) to a parent or parent-in-law, providers of lesser amounts of care, and non-caregivers. Outcomes were measured using the SF-12 indicators of mental and physical health. Resultsshowed that those with a living parent or parent-in-law had better health than those lacking these relatives. However, among potential caregivers for a parent or parent-in-law, those assuming intensive caregiving had poorer initial health than non-caregivers or those who became providers of less intensive care. Fixed effects analyses of follow-up data showed that the mental health of intensive caregivers deteriorated. However, the physical health of intensive caregivers with low levels of education improved. Resultsshow the importance of taking account of whether people are at risk of providing parental care and initial health status when assessing impacts of caregiving on health. They also indicate differential effects of caregiving on health depending on socio-demographic characteristics and reaffirm the need for greater supports for those providing substantial amounts of care to older parents.

Social media contact with family members and happiness in younger and older adults

Prior literature suggests that social media may increase older adults' well-being because they use social media to communicate with close social ties, such as family members. Despite this potential being recognized and associations between social media and well-being being established among older adults, the role of social media contact (SMC), particularly with family members, as a source of well-being has been little explored. In this study, we tested whether SMC with family members increases happiness for older (68–74 year-old) and younger and middle-aged (19–56 year-old) adults. Using population-based data from Finland, we examined the extent to which self-rated happiness is dependent on the respondents' sustenance of SMC with given family members. This analysis involved 2807 social media users. The family members examined were children and siblings for both generations; in addition, grandchildren for the older generation and parents for the younger generation. Propensity score matching was used to improve the credibility of the estimated associations. Partially supporting the socioemotional selectivity theory (SST), the results show that the older generation has more SMC with family members than the younger generations does; however, SMC with family members did not increase happiness among older adults, as SST suggests. Conversely, for younger adults, SMC with some family members was associated with increased happiness, suggesting that social media may gratify some family-related needs more specific to middle-aged adults than to older adults. This study adds to the knowledge about life-stage specific factors that contribute to subjective well-being in the digital era.

CHANGES IN LIVING ARRANGEMENT PREFERENCE AMONG OLDER TAIWANESE: A MULTILEVEL AGE-PERIOD COHORT ANALYSIS

Abstract Coresidence between older parents and adult children has been a traditional form of living arrangements in East Asia. The majority of older Taiwanese parents still shares the same residence with their adult children. However, recent research shows two contrasting trends: older persons tend to prefer independent living, while younger adults still express their filial responsibilities. Does the difference indicate changes in living arrangement preferences by successive cohort, or does it suggest an age pattern of coresidence preference among people who were growing old? Data from the Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging (TLSA) were used to compile an analytic sample aged 50 and older in 1996 with six follow-up interviews to 2019. Four birth cohorts between 1916 and 1953 were identified. The multilevel hierarchical age-period-cohort model (HAPC) were used to examine the effects of age, period, and cohort on potential changes in coresidence preference. Preliminary results suggested that coresidence preference among the post-war birth cohort increased with age, while no clear age patterns were found among other older cohorts. After entering older ages, all birth cohorts converged toward the similar coresidence preference. Findings suggest living with adult children may still be the primary form of living arrangements for older Taiwanese to ensure their sources of care. Despite that realization of coresidence preference would be crucial for older persons’ well-being, understanding how coresidence preference changes over time during one’s life course can further help us envision the future household structure.

OLDER PARENTS’ PATTERNS OF AGREEMENT AND INFORMATION SHARING WITH ADULT CHILDREN AND THEIR EMOTIONAL OUTCOMES

Abstract The current study examined the effect of older parents’ pattern of agreement/disagreement with their adult children’s perceptions of their functional ability and their information disclosure/non-disclosure to their adult children on their ambivalent, positive, and negative emotions. Older parents, N=263, Mage=75.06, SD=5.49, participated in an online survey. Participants’ agreement with adult children’s ideas and caregiving practice to support 10 life issues were assessed by five categories: 1=agree, 2=disagree, 3=it depends, 4=it is not my issue, and recorded into 0=agree, 1=fully/partially disagree/not my issue. Participants’ information sharing on the same items was assessed by 1=openly share, 2=leave out critical points, 3=avoid talking about, 4=lie or making a story, 5=It is not my issue, and recoded to share 1=openly and 0=not openly share. The median dichotomized the mean scores of 10 items to create four patterns: disagree-do not disclose, disagree-disclose, agree-do not disclose, and agree-disclose. Positive, negative, and ambivalent emotions toward adult children have been assessed by the scales and formula used by Lendon et al. (2013). A series of one-way ANOVA, F(3, 260)=4.41, p=.005, η=.05, revealed that participants in agree-do not disclose the pattern, M=3.15, SD=.90, reported the highest level of ambivalence. A post hoc test showed it was significantly higher than that of participants in disagree-did not share, M=2.16, SD=1.10. Disagree-do not disclose group reported the lowest score in positive and negative emotions among groups. Frequency of contact predicted disclosure in auxiliary analysis. The need for within and between differences in older parents’ agreement and disclosure patterns was discussed.

STRESSORS OF FILIAL ANXIETY REGARDING ANTICIPATED CARE OF OLDER PARENTS: EVIDENCE FROM CHINESE ADULT CHILDREN

Abstract Evidence has shown that the anticipation of providing care for a parent in the future can be anxiety-provoking for adult children, especially for one-child generations in China. Filial anxiety may influence adult children’s transition to the caregiver role and may bring about heightened caregiving stress. However, this phenomenon remains insufficiently studied among Chinese adult children. Drawing on the Stress Process Model and proactive coping theory, this study examined how primary stressors (i.e., parent’s declining health, adverse psychological health, and lack of eldercare resources), anticipatory stressor (i.e., anticipated parental care needs), and psychosocial resources (i.e., sibling number, the value of filial obligation, intergenerational relationship, work stress, and family stress) influenced the multiple domains of filial anxiety (i.e., Filial Anxiety-Ability, Filial Anxiety-Responsibility, and Filial Anxiety-Welfare). A face-to-face questionnaire survey was conducted with 530 Chinese adult children aged between 26 and 40 years in Shenzhen, China. Descriptive analyses and regression analyses were conducted. Results demonstrated that Chinese adult children experienced a higher level of overall filial anxiety than their Western counterparts and reported a particularly high level of filial anxiety about their parent’s welfare. Adult children with higher work and family stress, with fewer siblings, and whose parents lack eldercare resources were more likely to experience a high level of filial anxiety. This study systematically investigated the multiple stressors of filial anxiety. The findings have implications for the development of effective interventions to reduce adult children’s future caregiving concerns and better prepare them for their older parents’ future care needs.

INTERGENERATIONAL SOLIDARITY AND FILIAL PIETY PERCEIVED BY OLDER ADULTS IN RURAL CHINA

Abstract Filial piety—the obligation of adult children to serve and honor older parents—is a fundamental value in Chinese society. This study explores how dimensions of intergenerational solidarity influence parents’ evaluations of their children’s filial piety. Data derive from 1473 respondents reporting about 4000 relationships in the 2021 wave of the Longitudinal Study of Older Adults in Anhui Province China. Strength of filial piety was assessed for each adult child along with other aspects of the relationship. Random effects ordinal logistic regression predicted parents’ perceptions that their children fulfilled expectations of filial piety based on geographic proximity, financial support, and emotional support. Findings indicate that parents consider children who live with them as most filial, and they view residentially independent children who live farther away as less filial. However, financial support from more distant children raises perceptions that these children are meeting expectations of filial piety. In addition, having more frequent contact with distant children strengthens perceptions of them as being filial. Results suggest that weak filial piety perceived by older parents of their more geographically distant children in rural China—an area characterized by high rates of internal migration—is compensated by financial transfers and frequent communication. As research shows that filial piety perceptions are important to the well-being of older adults in Chinese populations, threats to its decline due to forces of modernization and any adverse consequences may be overcome by forms of intergenerational solidarity that involve contributions of money and time by children to their older parents.

THE IMPACT OF HOME-BASED CARE SERVICES ON ADULT CHILDREN AS CAREGIVERS OF OLDER ADULTS IN CHINA

Abstract The family has always been the primary resource for elder care support in China, and adult children are the main caregivers of older parents. In the background of rapid development of home-based care services for older adults, this study aims to explore the impacts of the home-based care services on the adult children as caregivers for their older parents. Based on a national representative sample of aged 60 years or older (N=8674) from the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS) in 2018 and 2020, this study used propensity score matching difference-in-differences method to analyze the data. Firstly, we found that home-based care services for older adults could reduce the care burden of family caregivers by sharing part of the instrumental support effectively for the elderly. Secondly, this substitution effect is more significant among the families with more dependable and vulnerable older adults. Finally, the use of home-based care services appeared not to affect the intergenerational relationships between older parents and their adult children caregivers. Home-based care services may relieve the burden of family caregivers by providing instrumental care support for older adults. Therefore, it is very necessary to accelerate the implementation of an elder care programs in community to benefit the older and younger generations in Chinese family.

HOW WIDOWHOOD SHAPES THE EFFECT OF ADULT CHILDREN’S EDUCATION ON MOTHERS’ PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING

Abstract Despite a growing interest in the effects of adult children’s education on older parents’ health and well-being, few studies have focused on how family structure may shape these processes. Drawing on data collected from 160 married and 180 widowed mothers ages 73-85 as part of the Within-Family Differences Study, we explore how mothers’ widowhood status moderates the association between their adult children’s education and mothers’ depressive symptoms. Drawing on past empirical work and Socioemotional Selectivity Theory, we develop and test two competing hypotheses. First, empirical research on depression and financial strain suggests that widowed mothers may be especially reliant on their adult children’s resources and, therefore, that adult children’s education would have a larger impact on widowed than married mothers’ mental health. Alternatively, principles of Socioemotional Selectivity Theory suggest that widows may place less value on their children’s material accomplishments, like educational attainment, and instead emphasize the socioemotional aspects of their relationships with their children. Therefore, children’s education may exert a smaller influence on the psychological well-being of widowed than married mothers. Results of linear regression models stratified by widowhood status supported our second hypothesis. Specifically, the association between adult children’s education and mothers’ psychological well-being was significantly larger among married mothers relative to widowed mothers. Our findings highlight the importance of considering family processes and family structure when studying educational attainment and health across generations.

MORE FILIAL PIETY FROM ADULT CHILDREN, MORE POSITIVE SELF-PERCEPTION OF AGING IN OLDER PARENTS?

Abstract Filial piety, as a central concept in Confucianism, is about the ideas of how children should treat their parents. Previous studies on filial piety have focused on older generation’s well-being. However, whether filial piety of adult children could influence their parents’ self-perception of aging on a longitudinal dyad basis is largely unknown. Drawing on the Dual Filial Piety Model and the intergenerational contact perspective, we investigated the differential impacts of authoritarian vs. reciprocal filial piety of adult children on older parents’ self-perception of aging using a longitudinal parent-child dyads dataset from a large population-based survey (i.e., Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, CLHLS) from wave 2002 to wave 2005. Self-perception of aging of older parents was measured at two time points, authoritarian and reciprocal filial piety of adult children was measured at wave 2002. Latent change score modeling was performed on a 2387 parent-child dyads sample (Mage = 80.03, SD = 9.86 for parent; Mage = 48.54, SD = 8.10 for child) to test our research hypothesis. Results showed only reciprocal filial piety of adult child at wave 2002 could positively predicted their parents’ latent change score of self-perception of aging 3 years later, after controlling for potential covariates. Our study suggested that the effects of adult children’s filial piety might have different effects on parents’ aging attitude, such that a reciprocal parent-child relationship rather than child’s submission to parents could improve parents’ attitude toward their own aging.

INTERGENERATIONAL FINANCIAL TRANSFER AND FAMILY STRUCTURE IN INDIA: EVIDENCE FROM LASI, 2017–2018

Abstract Understanding patterns of intergenerational support is critical within the context of demographic change, such as changing family structures and population aging. Existing research has analyzed the proportion of direct financial transfers between older parents and adult children and vice-versa. This study also examined the association between family structure and the direction of financial transfer in India. From the first wave of the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India, samples of 30,147 older adults aged 60+ years whose children alive were included. Bivariate analysis and logistic regression methods opted to fulfill the study objectives. Findings showed that the proportion of children-to-parent transfers (13.1%) was triple that of parents-to-children transfers (4.4%). No rural-urban disparity existed in the overall proportion of parents-to-children financial transfers. Conversely, children-to-parent financial transfers have shown marked variation among rural and urban parts of India. Older adults living alone received the most financial support from their children. While controlling sociodemographic and economic characteristics, family characteristics like having children up to eight were significantly associated with higher parents-to-children financial transfers. However, having more than eight children did not show significant effect. Having more children significantly increases the likelihood of financial transfer from children to older parents. Older adults living alone were more likely to receive financial support from children but were less likely to provide it. Filial piety is deeply rooted in India and is reflected through the bond of reciprocity among younger generations to provide financial support to their older parents, which helps older people to maintain better economic well-being.

CHANGES IN ADULT SIBLING CONFLICT AND OLDER PARENTS’ COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT: THE MODERATING ROLE OF CARE PROVISION

Abstract The life course concept of “linked lives” emphasizes that the life events of one family member have implications for other family members. Health events have been shown to be particularly salient in later-life families. We considered the consequences of older parents’ cognitive impairment on adult sibling relationship quality. Using mixed methods data from 327 adult children (nested within 96 families) collected as part of the Within-Family Differences Study (WFDS) T3, we examined the role of adult children’s care provision in the association between parents’ cognitive impairment and adult sibling tension. At T3 of the WFDS, the adult children were on average 60 years old and their parents were on average 90 years old. We conducted lagged multilevel linear regression modeling to account for nonindependence and to control for sibling tension seven years earlier before parents were experiencing cognitive impairment. The results of the quantitative analyses revealed that reports of sibling tension were higher in families in which parents experienced cognitive impairment. Moderation analyses indicated that the association between parents’ cognitive impairment and sibling tension was stronger for caregivers than noncaregivers. Qualitative analyses revealed that discrepancies in perceptions of the caregiving situation between caregivers and noncaregivers fueled sibling tension. Noncaregivers often seemed unaware of the caregiving situation or actively disengaged to avoid conflict. Taken together, these findings indicate that sibling tension is particularly high in the context of caring for older parents with cognitive impairment. In particular, adult children who are providing care are at increased risk of sibling tension.

CONTACT FREQUENCY WITH CHILDREN FOLLOWING RELOCATION LATER IN LIFE: DO CONTACT MODES AND PROXIMITY TO A CHILD MATTER?

Abstract Contact with children is an important source of support for older adults. It is not clear if relocation and proximity to a child affect in-person communication as well as telephone, email, and social media contact between older parents and children. Using data from the Health and Retirement Study (2014-2018: N=3,332) we examined changes in communication frequencies between parents who either stayed or relocated in the last 4 years and potentially changed their close proximity to a child. We found differential effects of relocation on contact frequency depending on contact modes and proximity. Regarding in-person contact, unadjusted and adjusted linear regressions revealed older adults were less likely to meet up with their children regardless of the distance moved when a child was not nearby. In contrast to stayers, movers with proximity to a child were more likely to meet up with their children (adj. β=0.50, p ≤0.001). We found the same trend for telephone and email contact frequency. Movers with proximity to a child were more likely to have telephone (adj. β=0.17,p=0.034) and email contact (adj. β=0.33, p=0.023). Unlike other types of contact modes, social media contact frequency was not influenced by relocation or child proximity. While older adults tend to constrict their relationships, this trend is not applicable to every older adult. In the social convey model, situational characteristics (e.g., relocation) is considered, and heterogeneity in social relations in later life can be explained.

GENDERED TRAJECTORIES OF DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN OLDER KOREAN PARENTS BEREAVED OF AN ADULT CHILD

Abstract Despite the existing body of research on the impact of child bereavement, little is known about whether time to the death of an adult child is associated with changes in depressive symptoms among older Korean parents. This study examines (a) trajectories of depressive symptoms before and after the loss of an adult child and (b) whether these trajectories differ across parent-child pairs (father-son, father-daughter, mother-son, and mother-daughter). Using eight waves of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing (KLoSA), the study employs fixed effects models to mitigate potential bias due to unobserved individual-level heterogeneity. The result of this study revealed that depressive symptoms increased within the first year following the loss of an adult child among bereaved parents. Considering the gender of both the parent and the deceased child, differences in psychological adjustment to bereavement were observed in different dyads. Depressive symptoms surged within the first year and persisted even beyond the fourth year of loss among daughter-bereaved fathers, while only an immediate rise in depressive symptoms within the first year of loss occurred for other pairs. Given prevailing gender role socialization in the Korean context, men’s conformity to masculinity norms and the traditional expectation for daughters to provide emotional support may contribute to the long-term increase in depressive symptoms for fathers who have lost a daughter. Thus, in societies where Confucian gender culture is ingrained as a social norm, policies for the psychological support of older parents who have lost adult children must consider the different trajectories of parent-child relationships.

TRANSITIONS TO LIVING ALONE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING OF OLDER ADULTS IN THE U.S: ARE THERE ANY RACE DISPARITIES?

Abstract We extend the existing literature on living alone and psychological well-being in older adults by focusing on the transition process from other living arrangements to living alone. We examine how transitioning to living alone is associated with psychological well-being scores (measured by 21-item Ryff Measures of Psychological Well-being) and how the associations vary across racial and ethnic groups. Using data from 2016 and 2020 Health and Retirement Study, we specify the transitions to living alone from four living arrangements: living with spouse/partner only, living with spouse/partner and older parents, living with a spouse/partner, children, and parents, and living with others. Respondents consistently living alone were the reference group. Our analysis involves adults aged 50 and above (n=3160). After controlling for final psychological well-being scores and adjusting for age, gender, marital status, and education in 2016, results from multiple linear regression models suggest that the transitions from living with spouse/partner only to living alone are associated with significantly lower scores of psychological well-being (β= -1.71, p&amp;lt;.01) than those consistently living alone. However, no statistically significant differences were observed between individuals transitioning from the other three living arrangements to living alone and those consistently living alone. The moderation effect shows that older Blacks experienced increased psychological well-being when transitioning from living with a spouse/partner to living alone (β=2.26) while their White counterparts had decreased psychological well-being during the same transition. This underscores the significance of the transition experience and emphasizes race disparities in its association with psychological health outcomes.