title: Worry about not having a caregiver and depressive symptoms among widowed older adults in China: the role of family support.
abstract: Using the stress-coping framework, this study examined whether worry about not having a caregiver in old age was associated with depressive symptoms among widowed Chinese older adults, including the moderating effects of self-perceived family support.
  
  
  
  Using a sample of 5331 widowed adults aged 60 years old or older from the 2006 National Sample Survey of the Aged Population in Urban/Rural China, we regressed measures of depressive symptoms on worry about not having a caregiver. We also tested moderation effects of family support.
  
  
  
  Individuals who were worried about not having a caregiver reported significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms. Feeling that their children are filial, having instrumental support from children, and having only daughters moderated the effects of worry about not having a caregiver on depressive symptoms.
  
  
  
  Our findings indicate the detrimental effects of worry about not having a caregiver on the psychological well-being of widowed older adults. This study also highlights some forms of family support that may help reduce such negative effects of widowhood.
authors.affiliation: a School of Social Work , University of Texas at Arlington , Arlington , TX , USA.
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: b School of Social Work , San Diego State University , San Diego , CA , USA.
authors.forename: Yawen
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: c Department of Human Ecology , University of Alberta , Edmonton , Canada.
authors.forename: Joohong
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Min
authors.affiliation: d School of Social Work , University of Southern California , Los Angeles , CA , USA.
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Chi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D003863:Depression / Q000208:ethnology*; D005190:Family / Q000208:ethnology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012944:Social Support; D017805:Widowhood / Q000208:ethnology*
keywords: depressive symptoms; family support; widowhood; worry about not having a caregiver