Cross-National Differences in Mental Health Impact of Intergenerational Caregiving: Social Pathways Among Older Women in China and the US

OBJECTIVES: This study examined cross-national differences in how multiple intergenerational caregiving roles affect depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older women in China and the United States. METHODS: We analyzed longitudinal data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) and U.S. Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Depressive symptoms were measured using harmonized CES-D scales. Analytical strategies included regression, panel fixed-effects models, and causal mediation analyses. RESULTS: < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The psychological impact of intergenerational caregiving among older women varies significantly across cultural contexts. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Mental health interventions and support programs for caregivers should consider cultural contexts and target modifiable pathways such as health status and social participation.