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Widowhood and depressive symptoms among older Chinese: Do gender and source of support make a difference?

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  • Li, Lydia
  • Liang, Jersey
  • Toler, Amanda
  • Gu, Shengzu

Abstract

In this study, we examined the effects of gender and pre-bereavement social support from three different sources (spouse, adult children, and friends) on widowhood adjustment among older adults in China. Hypotheses were developed by integrating the literature in the West and the cultural context of China. Data came from a panel survey, conducted in 1991 (baseline) and 1994 (follow-up), of a probability sample of older persons in Wuhan, China. For the present analysis, only those who were married with children at baseline were selected (N = 1,263). About 10% of the sample experienced spousal death between the two measurement points. Multiple regression analyses suggest that widowhood had a negative mental health consequence for older Chinese. Social support from adult children buffered the deleterious effect of widowhood, whereas spousal support during the marriage increased one's vulnerability. Support from friends was not found to have a significant effect. Gender difference in the effect of widowhood was also not evident. In this study, we have extended bereavement and social support research to a developing nation, with some findings similar to and some different from studies in Western developed nations.

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  • Li, Lydia & Liang, Jersey & Toler, Amanda & Gu, Shengzu, 2005. "Widowhood and depressive symptoms among older Chinese: Do gender and source of support make a difference?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 60(3), pages 637-647, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:60:y:2005:i:3:p:637-647
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    1. Cheng, Cheng, 2017. "Anticipated support from children and later-life health in the United States and China," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 201-209.
    2. Yi Zeng & Melanie D. Sereny Brasher & Danan Gu & James W. Vaupel, 2015. "Older parents benefit more in health outcome from daughters’ than sons’ care in China," MPIDR Working Papers WP-2015-004, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany.
    3. Kumar, Sneha, 2021. "Offspring's labor migration and its implications for elderly parents' emotional wellbeing in Indonesia," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 276(C).
    4. Tong, Yuying & Chen, Feinian & Su, Wenyang, 2019. "Living arrangements and older People's labor force participation in Hong Kong, 1986–2016," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 229(C), pages 50-59.
    5. Teerawichitchainan, Bussarawan & Pothisiri, Wiraporn & Long, Giang Thanh, 2015. "How do living arrangements and intergenerational support matter for psychological health of elderly parents? Evidence from Myanmar, Vietnam, and Thailand," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 136, pages 106-116.
    6. Maja Adena & Daniel Hamermesh & Michał Myck & Monika Oczkowska, 2023. "Home Alone: Widows’ Well-Being and Time," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 24(2), pages 813-838, February.
    7. Li, Qin & Smith, James P. & Zhao, Yaohui, 2023. "Understanding the effects of widowhood on health in China: Mechanisms and heterogeneity," The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Elsevier, vol. 25(C).
    8. Zhang, Yanan & Harper, Sarah, 2022. "The impact of son or daughter care on Chinese older adults' mental health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 306(C).
    9. Solveig A. Cunningham & Gloria L. Beckles & Jannie Nielsen, 2022. "Declines in Health and Support Between Parents and Adult Children: Insights from Diabetes," Population Research and Policy Review, Springer;Southern Demographic Association (SDA), vol. 41(4), pages 1699-1723, August.
    10. Krista P. Woodward & Zhiyuan Yu & Wenyi Chen & Tingting Chen & Dylan B. Jackson & Terrinieka W. Powell & Lin Wang, 2023. "Childhood Bereavement, Adverse and Positive Childhood Experiences, and Flourishing among Chinese Young Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-15, March.
    11. Li, Lydia W. & Zhang, Jiaan & Liang, Jersey, 2009. "Health among the oldest-old in China: Which living arrangements make a difference?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(2), pages 220-227, January.
    12. Yang, Fang & Gu, Danan, 2021. "Widowhood, widowhood duration, and loneliness among older adults in China," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
    13. Lin Yu & Zhimin Yan & Xun Yang & Lei Wang & Yuhan Zhao & Glenn Hitchman, 2016. "Impact of Social Changes and Birth Cohort on Subjective Well-Being in Chinese Older Adults: A Cross-Temporal Meta-analysis, 1990–2010," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 126(2), pages 795-812, March.
    14. Aranda, Luis, 2015. "Doubling up: A gift or a shame? Intergenerational households and parental depression of older Europeans," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 12-22.
    15. Yi Zeng & Linda George & Melanie Sereny & Danan Gu & James W. Vaupel, 2015. "Older parents enjoy better filial piety and care from daughters than sons in China," MPIDR Working Papers WP-2015-012, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany.

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