Intergenerational support and depression among Chinese older adults: do gender and widowhood make a difference?

• DOI: 10.1017/s0144686x15001403
• Publication Date: 2015-12-11T07:41:32Z
• Authors: MAN GUO; IRIS CHI; MERRIL SILVERSTEIN
• Keywords: Depression; Marital status

ABSTRACT Using four-wave panel data of 1,327 older adults in rural China, this study examined potential gender and marital status differences the relationships between three forms intergenerational support (monetary, instrumental emotional support) level depression adults. Results from a pooled time-series fixed-effects model showed that receiving providing monetary had comparable beneficial effect on mothers fathers, but benefited more psychologically than fathers closer with their children. Exchanges was not related to either mothers' or fathers' depression. Widowhood further affected gendered recently widowed significantly higher when they received In contrast, children associated among mothers. We explained findings context familial norms Chinese culture temporal needs for family link bereavement coping stages argued patterns observed are attributive fundamental men's women's social positions society.