@article {https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12963, title = {Racial/ethnic differences in living arrangements, distant relations, and later-life mental health}, journal = {Journal of Marriage and Family}, year = {2024}, abstract = {Abstract Objective This research investigates associations between living arrangements and older adults{\textquoteright} depressive symptoms and whether these associations are moderated by extended family, friends, and neighborhoods for White, Black, and Hispanic older adults. Background The drastic marriage and kinship decline since the 1970s has raised growing concerns about aging alone in both the public and scholarship. This paper adopts critical race theory to examine the social convoy model which argues that distant networks will fill in to protect individuals from stressors in the absence of proximal relations. Methods This paper applies multilevel mixed-effects linear models to 2006{\textendash}2018 waves of Health and Retirement Study (N = 44,304 obs., with 32,599 White, 7028 Black, and 4677 Hispanics). Results While married couples living alone have the best mental health among Whites, co-residing with both spouses/partners and children (the intergenerational coresidence) is associated with the lowest depressive symptoms for Black and Hispanic older adults. Moreover, strong social support from extended family and friends and a high level of neighborhood social cohesion can significantly mitigate increased depressive symptoms associated with living alone or with others only (people other than spouses/partners and children) for Whites, but not for Blacks and Hispanics. Conclusion This research challenges the paradigm that considers {\textquotedblleft}married couples living alone{\textquotedblright} as a normalized family structure. It also emphasizes the {\textquotedblleft}double plight{\textquotedblright} of Black and Hispanic older adults, who show both a disproportionate decline in family ties and a lack of supportive distant relations serving as buffer zones in the absence of spouses and children.}, keywords = {Family Relations, friendship, Mental Health, Neighborhoods, Older Adults, race}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1111/jomf.12963}, author = {Liu, Jingwen} } @article {6443, title = {Stress and Negative Relationship Quality among Older Couples: Implications for Blood Pressure.}, journal = {J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci}, volume = {71}, year = {2016}, month = {2016 Sep}, pages = {775-85}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: The cardiovascular system may represent a significant pathway by which marriage and stress influence health, but research has focused on married individuals cross-sectionally. This study examined associations among chronic stress, negative spousal relationship quality, and systolic blood pressure over time among middle-aged and older husbands and wives.

METHOD: Participants were from the nationally representative longitudinal Health and Retirement Study. A total of 1,356 (N = 2,712) married and cohabitating couples completed psychosocial and biomeasure assessments in waves 2006 and 2010. Analyses examined whether Wave 1 (2006) relationship quality and stress were associated with changes in blood pressure over time.

RESULTS: The effects of stress and negative relationship quality were dyadic and varied by gender. Husbands had increased blood pressure when wives reported greater stress, and this link was exacerbated by negative spousal relationship quality. Negative relationship quality predicted increased blood pressure when both members of the couple reported negative quality relations.

DISCUSSION: Findings support the dyadic biopsychosocial model of marriage and health indicating: (a) stress and relationship quality directly effect the cardiovascular system, (b) relationship quality moderates the effect of stress, and (c) the dyad rather than only the individual should be considered when examining marriage and health.

}, keywords = {Aged, Aging, Blood pressure, Family Relations, Female, Humans, Hypertension, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Marriage, Middle Aged, Stress, Psychological}, issn = {1758-5368}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/gbv023}, url = {http://psychsocgerontology.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2015/04/06/geronb.gbv023.abstract}, author = {Kira S. Birditt and Nicky J Newton and James A. Cranford and Lindsay H Ryan} } @article {7530, title = {The case for involving adult children outside of the household in the self-management support of older adults with chronic illnesses.}, journal = {Chronic Illn}, volume = {6}, year = {2010}, month = {2010 Mar}, pages = {34-45}, publisher = {6}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to (1) identify barriers to spousal support for chronic illness self-care among community-dwelling older adults; and (2) describe the potential availability of self-care support from adult children living outside of the household.

METHODS: Nationally representative US sample of chronically ill adults aged 51+ were interviewed as part of the Health and Retirement Study (N = 14,862). Both participants and their spouses (when available) reported information about their health and functioning. Participants also reported information about their contact with adult children and the quality of those relationships.

RESULTS: More than one-third (38\%) of chronically ill older adults in the US are unmarried; and when spouses are available, the majority of them have multiple chronic diseases and functional limitations. However, the vast majority of chronically ill older adults (93\%, representing roughly 60 million Americans) have adult children, with half having children living over 10 miles away. Most respondents with children (78\%) reported at least weekly telephone contact and that these relationships were positive. Roughly 19 million older chronically ill Americans have adult children living at a distance but none nearby; these children are in frequent telephone contact and respondents (including those with multiple chronic diseases) report that the relationships are positive.

DISCUSSION: As the gap between available health services for disease management and the need among community-dwelling patients continues to grow, adult children-including those living at a distance-represent an important resource for improving self-care support for people with chronic diseases.

}, keywords = {Adult, Chronic disease, Family Relations, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Self Care, Social Support}, issn = {1745-9206}, doi = {10.1177/1742395309347804}, author = {John D Piette and Ann Marie Rosland and Maria J Silveira and Mohammed U Kabeto and Kenneth M. Langa} } @article {7246, title = {Spousal caregiving in late midlife versus older ages: implications of work and family obligations.}, journal = {J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci}, volume = {63}, year = {2008}, month = {2008 Jul}, pages = {S229-S238}, publisher = {63B}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: This study examined life-stage differences in the provision of care to spouses with functional impairment.

METHODS: We examined 1,218 married adults aged 52 and older from the 2000 wave of the Health and Retirement Study who received impairment-related help with at least one activity of daily living. We examined the differential likelihood that spouses served as primary caregiver and the hours of care provided by spousal primary caregivers by life stage.

RESULTS: We found that late middle-aged care recipients were more likely than their older counterparts to receive the majority of their care from their spouse but received fewer hours of spousal care, mostly when spouses worked full time. Competing demands of caring for children or parents did not affect the amount of care provided by a spouse.

DISCUSSION: Late middle-aged adults with functional limitations are more likely than older groups to be married and cared for primarily by spouses; however, they may be particularly vulnerable to unmet need for care. As the baby boom generation ages, retirement ages increase, and federal safety nets weaken, people with health problems at older ages may soon find themselves in the same caregiving predicament as those in late middle age.

}, keywords = {Activities of Daily Living, Age Factors, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Caregivers, Employment, Family Relations, Female, Gender Identity, Health Surveys, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, Mobility Limitation, Spouses, Time Factors, United States}, issn = {1079-5014}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/63.4.s229}, author = {Julie C Lima and Susan M Allen and Goldscheider, Frances and Intrator, Orna} } @article {7142, title = {All in the family: the impact of caring for grandchildren on grandparents{\textquoteright} health.}, journal = {J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci}, volume = {62}, year = {2007}, month = {2007 Mar}, pages = {S108-19}, publisher = {62}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of caring for grandchildren on health behaviors and mental and physical health among older adults.

METHODS: Using a sample of 12,872 grandparents aged 50 through 80 from the Health and Retirement Study, we examined the relationship between stability and change in various types of grandchild care and subsequent health, controlling for covariates and earlier health.

RESULTS: We found no evidence to suggest that caring for grandchildren has dramatic and widespread negative effects on grandparents{\textquoteright} health and health behavior. We found limited evidence that grandmothers caring for grandchildren in skipped-generation households are more likely to experience negative changes in health behavior, depression, and self-rated health. We also found some evidence of benefits to grandmothers who babysit.

DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest that the health disadvantages found previously among grandparent caregivers arise from grandparents{\textquoteright} prior characteristics, not as a consequence of providing care. Health declines as a consequence of grandchild care appear to be the exception rather than the rule. These findings are important given continuing reliance on grandparents for day care and increasing reliance on grandparents for custodial care. However, the findings should be tempered by the recognition that for a minority of grandparents, coresidential grandchild care may compromise health.

}, keywords = {Adaptation, Psychological, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Caregivers, Child Care, Child, Preschool, Family Relations, Female, Health Status, Humans, Intergenerational Relations, Male, Middle Aged, Parenting, Risk Assessment, Stress, Psychological}, issn = {1079-5014}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/62.2.s108}, author = {Mary Elizabeth Hughes and Linda J. Waite and Tracey A. LaPierre and Ye Luo} } @article {6641, title = {At risk on the cusp of old age: living arrangements and functional status among black, white and Hispanic adults.}, journal = {J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci}, volume = {54}, year = {1999}, month = {1999 May}, pages = {S136-44}, publisher = {54B}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: We examine the relationship between living arrangements and multiple measures of physical, cognitive, and emotional functioning in late midlife.

METHODS: Using cross-sectional data from the Health and Retirement Study, we first assess the bivariate relationship between living arrangements and functioning; we then take into account demographic characteristics and measures of household resources and demands.

RESULTS: We find evidence of differential functioning among individuals in various living arrangements. Married couples living alone or with children show the highest levels of functioning, whereas single adults living in complex households show the lowest levels. Functional deficits for those in complex households are reduced but not eliminated when we take demographic characteristics and household resources and demands into account. We find few differences by gender and race/ethnicity in the relationship between living arrangements and functioning.

DISCUSSION: We show a pattern of poorer functioning among those in arguably the most demanding and least supportive household environments. This points to a vulnerable and risk-filled transition from middle to old age for these persons. Because Blacks and Hispanics show lower levels of functioning than Whites and are more likely to live in complex households, they may be particularly disadvantaged.

}, keywords = {Activities of Daily Living, Aging, Black or African American, Cultural Characteristics, Family Relations, Female, Hispanic or Latino, Housing, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Quality of Life, Retirement, Risk Factors, White People}, issn = {1079-5014}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/54b.3.s136}, url = {http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10363044?dopt=Abstract}, author = {Linda J. Waite and Mary Elizabeth Hughes} } @article {6648, title = {Financial assistance from middle-aged couples to parents and children: racial-ethnic differences.}, journal = {J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci}, volume = {54}, year = {1999}, month = {1999 May}, pages = {S145-53}, publisher = {54B}, abstract = {

OBJECTIVES: To examine racial-ethnic differences in the allocation of financial transfers to parents, children, and others by middle-aged couples.

METHODS: Multinomial specification of alternative recipients of financial transfers, using data from the 1992 Health and Retirement Survey.

RESULTS: Transfer patterns are sensitive to parental health and wealth, to children being young or in school, as well as to the donors{\textquoteright} health and wealth. Controlling for these and other factors, including family size and structure, Blacks and Whites are the most likely, and Hispanics the least likely, to financially help their parents compared to assisting offspring. Black couples are the most likely to sacrifice their own consumption to assist parents financially.

DISCUSSION: Future research on transfers should attempt to capture unmeasured noneconomic sources of variation proxied by the race-ethnicity indicator.

}, keywords = {Aged, Child, ethnicity, Family Relations, Female, Financing, Personal, Humans, Intergenerational Relations, Male, Middle Aged, Parent-Child Relations, Racial Groups}, issn = {1079-5014}, doi = {10.1093/geronb/54b.3.s145}, author = {Rebeca Wong and Capoferro, C. and Beth J Soldo} }