Support From Migrant Children and Depressive Symptoms Among Chinese Older Adults in Transnational Families

Abstract

International migration creates important consequences both for migrants and the family members they leave behind. Prior research has noted not only the adverse effects of children’s migration on parents’ mental health but also the fact that family ties and closeness can persist because of supportive exchange despite geographical distances. This study examined the associations between economic and emotional support from migrant children living abroad and depressive symptoms among Chinese elders in transnational families and whether such associations were moderated by the elders’ physical health status and the presence of children remaining in China. The data were collected from a cross-sectional survey of 293 older Chinese in transnational families in Beijing, China. The results of linear regression show that more emotional support from migrant children was associated with lower depressive symptoms among these elders. The association between emotional support and depressive symptoms was stronger among the elders who did not have children remaining in China and who had functional limitations. The findings suggest that maintaining emotionally supportive relationships with their migrant children abroad may help to prevent depressive symptoms among these elders, especially among the older adults who have functional limitations and who have no children remaining in the home country.