Children’s Geographic Proximity and Older Parents’ Depressive Symptoms in China

Objective: This study examined the association between children's proximity and older parents' depressive symptoms, and whether living with grandchildren modified this association. Method: Study sample was from the 2011 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (N = 5,261). Elders' depressive symptoms were measured using the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Children's proximity was measured by the geographic distance from an adult child to elders' residence. Linear and logit regressions were performed. Results: Elders who had their nearest child living 100 km away were 9% more likely to experience severe depressive symptoms (95% CI: [1%, 16%]) than those living together with children. Among those living far away from adult children, living with a grandchild in the same household increased the likelihood of having severe depressive symptoms by 23% (95% CI: [12%, 34%]). Discussion: Relationships between children's proximity and parents' health were identified and modified by whether living with grandchildren.