The Impact of Grandparenting on Social Participation Among Older Adults
Author Information
Author(s): Wong Jason, Zhao Mengke, Tong Yuying, Chen Feinian
Primary Institution: Yale University, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Johns Hopkins University
Hypothesis
How does grandparenting affect the social participation of grandparents?
Conclusion
Grandparenting generally enhances social connectedness for grandparents, with gender differences in its effects.
Supporting Evidence
- Grandparenting increases informal social participation for grandparents.
- Gender differences were observed in the effects of grandparenting on social participation.
- Noncoresident nonintensive care increases informal social participation for grandfathers.
- Noncoresident intensive care and three-generation care increase informal social participation for grandmothers.
Takeaway
Being a grandparent can help older people make more friends and stay social, but it can be different for grandpas and grandmas.
Methodology
Data were analyzed from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study using fixed-effects linear probability models.
Limitations
The study may not account for all factors influencing social participation beyond grandparenting.
Participant Demographics
Older adults aged 50-84 from China.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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