Intergenerational Support and Elderly Mental Health in Rural China: Evidence and Policy Implications

Li, Zhixuan, Wu, Yongchang, Jin, Shan and Chen, Jing (2026) Intergenerational Support and Elderly Mental Health in Rural China: Evidence and Policy Implications. Frontiers in Public Health. ISSN 2296-2565 (In Press)

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Abstract

Mental health problems among the rural elderly pose a major challenge in contemporary China, where adult children have a crucial role in addressing this issue. However, the mental health experiences of rural older adults remain comparatively underexplored in existing research, particularly in contrast with their urban counterparts. This study investigates the role of intergenerational support from adult children in shaping the mental health of rural elderly in China. Data were collected through face-to-face surveys with 975 adults aged 60 and over from two rural counties with distinct socioeconomic contexts: Kunshan in Jiangsu Province (an economically developed population inflow area, N = 431) and Yudu in Jiangxi Province (a typical central China population outflow area, N = 544) , enabling examination of intergenerational support dynamics across different migration contexts. The results show that intergenerational support, especially economic (β = 0.1819, p < 0.1) and emotional support (β = 0.6427, p < 0.01), significantly enhances the mental health of rural elderly, both directly and by influencing perceived intergenerational intimacy. Yet, adherence to the traditional value of raising children for old-age support weakens this positive effect by instrumentalizing parent-child relationships. Moreover, the effects of intergenerational support on mental health vary across regions and between genders. These findings underscore the need for policies that not only account for regional and gender differences but also challenge traditional values of child-based old-age support to better promote the mental well-being of rural older adults in China.

Item Type:	Article
Keywords:	Child, Intergenerational support, Mental Health, parent, Rural elderly
Divisions:	Land and Property Management
Depositing User:	Dr Andy Jin
Date Deposited:	30 Apr 2026 16:39
Last Modified:	30 Apr 2026 16:39
URI:	https://rau.repository.guildhe.ac.uk/id/eprint/17096

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