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Does an Empty Nest Affect Elders’ Health? Empirical Evidence from China

Author

Listed:
  • Min Gao

    (School of Social Development and Public Policy, China Institute of Health, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
    These authors contribute equally to this work.)

  • Yanyu Li

    (School of Humanities and Social Sciences, North China Electric Power University, Baoding 071000, China
    These authors contribute equally to this work.)

  • Shengfa Zhang

    (School of Social Development and Public Policy, China Institute of Health, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Linni Gu

    (School of Social Development and Public Policy, China Institute of Health, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Jinsui Zhang

    (School of Social Development and Public Policy, China Institute of Health, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Zhuojun Li

    (School of Social Development and Public Policy, China Institute of Health, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Weijun Zhang

    (School of Social Development and Public Policy, China Institute of Health, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

  • Donghua Tian

    (School of Social Development and Public Policy, China Institute of Health, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China)

Abstract

The “empty-nest” elderly family has become increasingly prevalent among old people in China. This study aimed to explore the causality between empty nests and elders’ health using effective instrumental variables, including “whether old parents talk with their families when they are upset” and “ownership of housing”. The results showed that empty nests had a significantly adverse influence on elders’ physical health, cognitive ability and psychological health. Furthermore, urban elders’ cognitive ability was more influenced by empty nests than that of rural elders. Additionally, the effects of an empty nest on elders” health were more significant among female, single elders and senior rural elders. “Living resources”, “availability of medical treatment” and “social activity engagement” were found to be significant mediators between empty nests and elders’ health, accounting for 35% of the total effect.

Suggested Citation

  • Min Gao & Yanyu Li & Shengfa Zhang & Linni Gu & Jinsui Zhang & Zhuojun Li & Weijun Zhang & Donghua Tian, 2017. "Does an Empty Nest Affect Elders’ Health? Empirical Evidence from China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-20, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:14:y:2017:i:5:p:463-:d:96953
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Xueyan Cheng & Liang Zhang, 2022. "Health Service Needs from a Household Perspective: An Empirical Study in Rural Empty Nest Families in Sinan and Dangyang, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-13, January.
    2. Elizabeth Wianto & Elty Sarvia & Chien-Hsu Chen, 2021. "Authoritative Parents and Dominant Children as the Center of Communication for Sustainable Healthy Aging," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-18, March.
    3. Hui Chang & Jia Zhou & Zhiwen Wang, 2022. "Multidimensional Factors Affecting Successful Aging among Empty-Nesters in China Based on Social-Ecological System Theory," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-12, September.
    4. Marcia G. Ory & Matthew Lee Smith, 2017. "What If Healthy Aging Is the ‘New Normal’?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-5, November.

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