Effect of Grandchild Caregiving and the Psychological Well-Being of Middle-Aged and Older Adults in China: The Mediation Effect of Social Participation

As China's middle-aged and older population increasingly engages in grandchild caregiving, this study examines its psychological implications through the lens of role theory, with particular attention to the mediating role of social participation. Based on three-wave panel data, the findings show that grandchild caregiving is associated with higher life satisfaction and lower levels of depressive symptoms and loneliness among older adults. Caregiving is also related to a broader range and higher frequency of social participation. Additionally, the mediating role of social participation is mainly observed for depressive symptoms and loneliness, whereas no significant mediation is found for life satisfaction. The results further indicate that these associations vary between urban and rural settings, with stronger direct associations among urban older adults. This study highlights the value of intergenerational caregiving as a means of mobilizing familial resources in elderhood and encourages policies that support older adults’ meaningful participation in family life, particularly in the realm of childcare.