Relationship Between Child Mortality, Social Support, and Psychological Distress Among War Survivors in Vietnam
2024

Impact of Child Death on Older Vietnamese and the Role of Social Support

Sample size: 2447 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Kuy Kakada, Kim Korinek, Zimmer Zachary

Primary Institution: Washington University in St. Louis

Hypothesis

How do different forms of social support interact with the experiences of child death among aging populations in post-conflict settings?

Conclusion

Emotional support significantly buffers the mental distress caused by child death in older Vietnamese, especially for those with higher war exposure.

Supporting Evidence

  • Social support is crucial for well-being among grieving parents.
  • The study highlights the psychological impact of child death on older adults.
  • Emotional support was found to significantly buffer mental distress.

Takeaway

When older people in Vietnam lose a child, having emotional support helps them feel better, especially if they've been through a war.

Methodology

Data was collected from the 2018 Vietnam Health and Aging Study, focusing on older adults aged 60 and older, assessing child loss, mental distress, and social support.

Participant Demographics

Older Vietnamese adults aged 60 and older.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.1769

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