1. The health of grandparents caring for their grandchildren: the role of early and mid-life conditions Karen Glaser, Giorgio Di Gessa, Anthea Tinker Age UK Showcase Event Institute of Gerontology, Department Social Science, Health & Medicine, King’s College London 29 th January 2014 1

2. Outline of presentation The research study: 1.Partnerships and timescale 2.Previous work 3.Background 4.Research aim 5.Some very preliminary results 2

3. 1. The research study – partnerships and timescale In partnership with Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, Grandparents Plus and the Beth Johnson Foundation Start April 2013 - October 2014 Project Launch 15 March 2013 at Europe House, Westminster 3

4. 2. Previous work: Grandparenting in Europe Examined variations across Europe in diversity of grandparents, their contribution to childcare, and how policy regimes are related to patterns of grandparenting. Supported by same partners From April 2011/October 2011 – March 2013 Final Report July 2013 http://www.grandparentsplus.org.uk/grandparenting-in- europe-project 4

5. Key focus: Intensive grandparental childcare Defined providing childcare for a grandchild – on a daily basis or at least 15 hours per week (SHARE) – in the week prior to the interview & coresidence (ELSA) 5

6. Data Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) & English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) SHARE 2004/5 Denmark, Sweden, Austria, France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy and Greece. SHARE 2006/7 joined by Czech Republic, Poland and Ireland. 6

7. Table 1: Percentage distribution of grandparental care 2004/5 & 2006/7 SHARE Grandparental childcare2004/52006/7 Not looking after grandchild 49.349.2 Looking after grandchild Co-resident2.74.4 Intensive12.512.3 Non-intensive34.833.6 Missing0.70.6 Total100.0 N16,70020,165 7

8. 3. Background Studies (most US based) generally show grandparents with ‘primary care’ responsibilities for grandchild often among most disadvantaged/poorest health. Most work based on cross-sectional data; do not know whether due to cumulative disadvantages or impact of grandchild care per se. Even work based on longitudinal data inconclusive: may be because relationship between grandparental childcare & health and wellbeing varies by SES, with most vulnerable groups being most affected. 8

9. 4. Research aim How grandparental childcare interacts with other socio-economic, demographic and life history determinants to impact on health and wellbeing of grandparents. 9

10. Life Histories Explore relationship between different life experiences and grandparents’ health & wellbeing: – Periods of poor health as children and with ill- health and disability as adult – Partnership and fertility histories – Employment histories 10

11. 5. Preliminary results: Grandparental childcare and health 11

12. Preliminary Analyses Grandparental childcare between waves 1 & 2 (2004/5 & 2066/7) – 2 year time period Also between waves 2 & 4 (2006/7 & 2010/11) – 4 year time period 12

13. Logistic regression models of poor/fair self- rated health 2006/7 Changes in grandparental care bet 2004/5 & 2006/7 %Model I Care only Model II Care + SES Model III Care +SES + Health wave 1 No grandchild care36.6+++ Started care9.4++ Continued non-intensive24.6 Continued intensive7.0+ Stopped care11.9++ More care3.1 Less care4.0+ Started coresidence1.0+++ Stopped1.1+ Continued1.4++ Total100.0 13

14. We welcome questions and comments 14