Worry about not having a caregiver and depressive symptoms among widowed older adults in China: the role of family support

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Using the stress-coping framework, this study examined whether worry about not having a caregiver in old age was associated with depressive symptoms among widowed Chinese older adults, including the moderating effects of self-perceived family support.

Method: Using a sample of 5331 widowed adults aged 60 years old or older from the 2006 National Sample Survey of the Aged Population in Urban/Rural China, we regressed measures of depressive symptoms on worry about not having a caregiver. We also tested moderation effects of family support.

Results: Individuals who were worried about not having a caregiver reported significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms. Feeling that their children are filial, having instrumental support from children, and having only daughters moderated the effects of worry about not having a caregiver on depressive symptoms.

Conclusion: Our findings indicate the detrimental effects of worry about not having a caregiver on the psychological well-being of widowed older adults. This study also highlights some forms of family support that may help reduce such negative effects of widowhood.

KEYWORDS:

• worry about not having a caregiver
• depressive symptoms
• widowhood
• family support

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the China Research Centre on Ageing in Beijing for providing the data set.

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.