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Childlessness and Health Among Older Adults: Variation Across Five Outcomes and 20 Countries

Author

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  • Nekehia T Quashie
  • Bruno Arpino
  • Radoslaw Antczak
  • Christine A Mair
  • Deborah Carr

Abstract

ObjectivesNo previous study to the best of our knowledge has examined the association between childlessness and health using a wide range of countries and health outcomes. This study improves previous literature by examining the relationship between “childlessness” (1 = childless for any reason, 0 = parent of biological, step, or adopted child) and health across 20 countries and five health outcomes.MethodsDrawing on cross-sectional harmonized data from the family of Health and Retirement Surveys across the United States (HRS, Wave 11), Europe (SHARE, Waves 4 and 5), Mexico (MHAS, Wave 3), and China (CHARLS, Wave 2), we use logistic regression models to estimate the association between childlessness and poor health (poor self-rated health, 1 or more ADL limitations, 1 or more IADL limitations, 1 or more chronic conditions, and depression) in a sample of adults aged 50 and older across 20 countries (N = 109,648).ResultsOur results point to an absence of associations between childlessness and health, and suggest that childlessness may be associated with better (e.g., Mexico, Hungary) or worse health (e.g., Austria, Estonia, Netherlands, Poland) in certain contexts and for certain measures.DiscussionWe discuss these findings in light of the meaning of childlessness, as well as cross-national economic, social, and cultural contexts to provide suggestions for aging policy and future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Nekehia T Quashie & Bruno Arpino & Radoslaw Antczak & Christine A Mair & Deborah Carr, 2021. "Childlessness and Health Among Older Adults: Variation Across Five Outcomes and 20 Countries," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 76(2), pages 348-359.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:geronb:v:76:y:2021:i:2:p:348-359.
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1093/geronb/gbz153
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    Cited by:

    1. Bruno Arpino & Jordi Gumà & Albert JuliÃ, 2021. "Deviations From Standard Family Histories and Subjective Wellbeing at Older Ages," Econometrics Working Papers Archive 2021_16, Universita' degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Statistica, Informatica, Applicazioni "G. Parenti".
    2. Marta Pittavino & Bruno Arpino & Elena Pirani, 2024. "Kinlessness at older ages: Prevalence and heterogeneity in 27 countries," Econometrics Working Papers Archive 2024_02, Universita' degli Studi di Firenze, Dipartimento di Statistica, Informatica, Applicazioni "G. Parenti".

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