The long-term impact of childhood grandparent co-residence on self-perception of aging and depressive symptoms in older adulthood

Dados Bibliográficos

ID12440929
AutoresKun Wang (0000-0002-6199-4315, Department of Social Work, College of Arts and Sciences, The University of Alabama at Birmingham , Birmingham, Alabama), Yanjun Dong (0000-0001-6396-8949, School of Social Welfare, College of Integrated Health Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany , New York), Xiayu Summer Chen (0000-0003-3747-3947, University of Central Florida), Wenxing Wei (0000-0003-3144-0829, Case Western Reserve University), Zhen-qiang Ma (0000-0002-6440-1319, Nanyang Technological University), Zhuoru Ma (Nanyang Technological University)
EditoresMarkus Schafer (0000-0002-0088-7022)
Ano2025
Volume80
Fascículo11
Data de publicação2025-09-17
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoThe Journals of Gerontology Series B (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1079-5014 • E-ISSN: 1758-5368
EditoraOxford University Press (OUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1093/geronb/gbaf172
PMID40973151
OpenAlexW4414371377
IdiomaEN
Referências citadas43

Objectives Grounded in life course theory, this study examines the long-term impact of childhood grandparent co-residence on self-perception of aging (SPA) and depressive symptoms in older adulthood, comparing young-old adults (65–74 years) and old-old adults (75+ years) in the United States. Methods Data were drawn from the Health and Retirement Study across 3 time points (T1: 2008/2010, T2: 2012/2014, and T3: 2016/2018), with a sample of 9,070 adults aged 65 and older. Longitudinal mediation analysis was employed to explore the relationships between childhood grandparent co-residence, SPA, and depressive symptoms, stratified by age group. Results Childhood grandparent co-residence was positively associated with SPA (B = 0.06, p < .05) and depressive symptoms (B = 0.14, p < .001) among young-old adults. SPA partially mediated this relationship (B = −0.03, bias-corrected CI = [−0.04, −0.02]), buffering the detrimental impact on depressive symptoms. These associations were not significant among old-old adults. SPA was negatively associated with depressive symptoms in both young-old (B = −0.46, p < .001) and old-old adults (B = −0.45, p < .001). Discussion Given the significant association between SPA and depressive symptoms, SPA-targeted interventions can help reduce depressive symptoms in both groups. Special attention should be given to young-old adults with childhood grandparent co-residence experiences. Cognitive behavioral therapy may help reinterpret these experiences by reshaping negative thoughts and encouraging a more positive view of family dynamics. Further research is needed to address the specific needs of old-old adults to promote their well-being

Aging and Gerontology Research · Health disparities and outcomes · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving