title: Intergenerational Relationships and Self-Rated Health Trajectories Among Older Adults in Rural China: Does Gender Matter?
abstract: The present study examined trajectory patterns of self-rated health (SRH) among older rural Chinese adults and gender differences in the relationship between intergenerational relationships and SRH trajectories. Using data from four waves of a longitudinal study on the well-being of older adults in Anhui province, a general growth mixture model was estimated to examine the SRH trajectory patterns and antecedents of SRH trajectory class memberships. A two-class model was selected to interpret the SRH trajectory patterns. The two classes were labeled remaining poor and good but declining. Intergenerational relationships were a significant antecedent of SRH trajectory class memberships among men but not women. Gender differences in the cumulative effects of intergenerational relationships on the health of older adults were identified in rural China. Policy implications regarding how to help rural families support their elderly members are discussed.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Social Work, School of Sociology and Population Studies, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China.
authors.forename: Nan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Social Work and Social Administration, Sau Po Centre on Ageing, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Vivian W Q
authors.initials: VWQ
authors.lastname: Lou
authors.affiliation: 3 Center for Aging and Health Research, Institute for Population and Development Studies, School of Public Policy and Administration, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
authors.forename: Dongmei
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zuo
authors.affiliation: 4 School of Social Work, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Chi
keywords: gender difference; health trajectory; intergenerational relationship; rural China