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6. Family Formation and Dissolution, Family and Kinship
Abstract
Widowhood is associated with distinct social, economic, and health-related challenges that significantly affect the
mental health of older people. This paper utilized the Longitudinal Study of Aging and Health in the Philippines
(LSAHP) baseline data to examine gender differences in the relationship between marital status and depressive
symptoms and assess how this relationship is associated with support (financial, emotional, and instrumental) from
adult children. Results showed that widowhood is more common among older females while a higher percentage
of older males are currently married or cohabiting with a spouse or partner. Multiple regression analyses revealed
higher levels of depressive symptoms among widowed older males and females compared to their currently
married or cohabiting counterparts. Models with interaction between widowhood and support from children
showed that depressive symptoms were significantly modified by the receipt of such assistance. Receiving financial
assistance from adult children on a monthly basis was shown to significantly reduce the levels of depressive
symptoms in older widowers. No such association was found, however, in older widows.
Plenary Session Session I Impact of COVID-19
2:30 - 4:00pm Tuesday, 3rd August, 2021
Presentation Type LIVE Session
Moderator: Nimfa Ogena , Wendy Hartanto
Family and COVID-19
Jean Yeung Wei-Jun
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has exerted unprecedented pressure on many institutions including the health care
systems, schools, government, markets, and law. Family, as the basic socioeconomic unit of society, bears the brunt
of the multiple stressors caused by the disruptions to these institutions. I propose a conceptual framework to
examine the impact of COVID-19 on families and illustrate with findings from Singapore Longitudinal Early
Development Study (SG LEADS).
Demographically differentiated vulnerability to global environmental change and
COVID-19
Raya Muttarak
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