(Grand)childlessness and depression across men and women’s stages of later life

The literature on how family status and health in later life relate is extensive. Although research has focused the effects of grandparenthood grandparenting, explorations whether ageing without children can lead to mental impairments have achieved mixed results. We bridge empirical traditions investigate relationship between Europe by using data from Survey Health, Ageing Retirement (SHARE) sampling roughly 160,000 men women aged 50–89 17 European countries. Mental evaluated through depressive symptoms EURO-D scale compared childless or grandchildless people grandparents at different ages. To identify association (grand)parenthood net confounders, we perform inverse probability-weighted regression adjustment (IPWRA). rich information SHARE provides facilitates considering common factors that may influence symptoms. Results show three groups hardly differ health: grandfathers reported fewer symptoms, if any, than 70–79. Overall, while does not seem per se, it could be crucial when accounting for entire individual course.