The impact of altruistic behaviors for children and grandchildren on major depression among parents and grandparents in the United States: a prospective study.
BACKGROUND
Although previous studies have suggested that altruistic behaviors are beneficial for mental health, few studies have examined the impact of altruistic behaviors for children and grandchildren (ABC) on the mental health of parents and grandparents using a longitudinal study design. It is needed to test whether paternal and maternal ABC prevent the development of mental health problems in later life.


METHODS
The association between three types of ABC (informal assistance, emotional support, financial support) in 1995-1996 and major depression (MD) in 1998 were examined using a nationally representative longitudinal study in the US (the National Survey of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS) in 1995-1996 and the MIDUS Psychological Experience Follow-Up study in 1998, N=724).


RESULTS
Moderate amounts of informal assistance and financial support by fathers/grandfathers, but not by mothers/grandmothers, showed a protective effect on MD 2-3 years later, holding parents/grandparents and children covariates. Emotional support was not associated with MD for both sexes after adjusting for covariates.


CONCLUSIONS
The sample size in this study was relatively small and not all possible covariates were adjusted. The effect of children's/grandchildren's responses for ABC on the development of parental MD was not examined.


CONCLUSIONS
The impact of ABC on MD in 2-3 years varies depending on the types of ABC and the sex of parents/grandparents. Moderate amounts of informal assistance and financial support had a protective effect on MD in later life among fathers/grandfathers, but not among mothers/grandmothers.
Fujiwara
Takeo
T
Centre for Community Child Health Research, Child and Family Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. tfujiwara@cw.bc.ca
Lee
Cynthia K
CK
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000533:Altruism; D002648:Child; D002652:Child Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005195:Family Relations; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005378:Financial Support; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D037921:Gift Giving; D006801:Humans; D016901:Intergenerational Relations; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology