title: Effect of intergenerational and intragenerational support on perceived health of older adults: a population-based analysis in rural China.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The family, together with the individual and society, and the state and market are the three pillars of well-being and social security over the life course, with responsibility for the health of older adults.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of current study was to explore the effect of intergenerational and intragenerational support on perceived health of older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey with 64.36% (1318/2048) response rate was conducted door to door in rural China with a sample of 1318 individuals aged 60 years and older. There were three sets of independent variables: intergenerational support from children as well as intragenerational spousal support and intragenerational sibling support, sociodemographic variables, and behaviour variables. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyse the influence of family member support on physical and psychological health.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After adjusting for potential confounding variables (sociodemographic variables and behaviour variables), it was observed that intergenerational support from children had a significant effect on the self-rated physical health and psychological health of older adults [odds ratios (OR) = 1.48, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.10-2.00; OR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.36-2.44, respectively]. However, intragenerational support from spouse and siblings was not significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The importance of intergenerational support from children would suggest that family practice and health-related policy of older adults may need to be extended to their children. With the rapid development of global population movements, family practices need to pay attention to the changes of family support among migrant families.
authors: Department of Social Medicine and Health Management, School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China and.
authors: Jing
authors: J
authors: Liang
authors: Peipei
authors: P
authors: Zhang
authors: Xi
authors: X
authors: Zhu
authors: Yan
authors: Y
authors: Qiao
authors: Lianyi
authors: L
authors: Zhao
authors: Quanyan
authors: Q
authors: He
authors: Liuyi
authors: L
authors: Zhang
authors: Yuan
authors: Y
authors: Liang
mesh_terms: D032721:Adult Children; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002681:China; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016901:Intergenerational Relations; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D012424:Rural Population; D035781:Siblings; D012944:Social Support; D018454:Spouses
keywords: Family support; health aging; intergenerational support; intragenerational support; older adults.