Drawing on cross-sectional harmonized data from the family of Health and Retirement Surveys across the United States (HRS, wave 11), Europe (SHARE, waves 4 and 5), Mexico (MHAS, wave 3), and China (CHARLS, wave 2), we use logistic regression models to estimate the association between childlessness and poor health (poor self-rated health, 1 or more ADL limitations, 1 or more IADL limitations, 1 or more chronic conditions, and depression) in a sample of adults aged 50 and older across 20 countries (N=109,648).
The PD patients had earlier onset; higher HRS scores; poorer social support; more life stressors; more frequent separation and divorce; more frequent nonserious suicide attempts, less frequent dexamethasone nonsuppression; poorer response to antidepressant medication; and higher risk for depression, alcoholism and antisocial personality among first-degree relatives.