Providing Help in Europe: Are In-Household Care and Outside-Household Support Associated With Grandparental Child care?

Abstract

<p>Grandparental child care is a vital form of social support that can enhance family well-being.<br>Prior studies have found that older adults who provide support to one individual are more likely<br>to offer help to others within their families and social networks. However, little research has<br>examined whether helping others is associated with grandparental child care. Using data from the<br>Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe, covering 27 countries, and using multinomial<br>regression models, we show that (a) support provided to individuals outside the household is<br>associated with increased grandparental child care, whereas (b) family care provided within the<br>household is not. The findings are further discussed with particular attention to their societal<br>implications.<br></p>