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Are Grandchildren Good for You? Well-Being and Health Effects of Becoming a Grandparent

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  • Birgit Leimer

    (Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz)

  • Reyn Joris van Ewijk

    (Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz)

Abstract

Becoming a grandparent is one of the major life transitions experienced by older individuals. Using data from ten Western European countries, we show that grandparenthood on average leads to a reduction in well-being while hardly impacting physical, cognitive and mental health. Effects are heterogeneous, though. Reductions in well-being appear among those having less family contact and not providing child care. Those with the opposite profile – except grandmothers providing daily child care – experience some health improvements without reduced well-being. Well-being reductions are not driven by unwanted/unplanned children. Grandparenthood induces people to retire, but retirement seems no relevant channel for well-being and health effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Birgit Leimer & Reyn Joris van Ewijk, 2022. "Are Grandchildren Good for You? Well-Being and Health Effects of Becoming a Grandparent," Working Papers 2201, Gutenberg School of Management and Economics, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz.
    • Handle: RePEc:jgu:wpaper:2201
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