Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
Collegio Ca' della Paglia, Fondazione Ghislieri, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
J Public Health (Oxf). 2023 Nov 29;45(4):816-821. doi: 10.1093/pubmed/fdad154.
The COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdown measures posed an unprecedented challenge to the crucial role of grandparenting in family-oriented cultures, such as Italy. Reduced contact with grandchildren during this period potentially threatened grandparents' mental health and well-being.
We analysed data from the LOckdown and lifeSTyles in Lombardia cross-sectional study conducted in November 2020. The study included a representative sample of 4400 older adults from Lombardy, Italy, of which 1289 provided childcare to their grandchildren.
A decrease in self-reported grandparenting was associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing depressive symptoms among grandparents (OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.01-2.24). Conversely, an increase in grandparenting was linked to poorer sleep quality (OR 11.67, 95% CI 5.88-23.17) and reduced sleep quantity (OR 2.53, 95% CI 1.45-4.41).
Despite the barriers posed by the pandemic, grandparenting played a beneficial role in maintaining the mental health and well-being of older adults. However, it is crucial to recognise specific vulnerabilities, such as gender, feelings of hopelessness and overcrowding, which can have detrimental effects during and beyond emergency situations. Careful attention to these factors is essential for developing targeted support systems and interventions aimed at safeguarding the mental health of older adults and enhancing their resilience in crises.
COVID-19 大流行和相关的封锁措施对以意大利为代表的重视家庭的文化中祖辈的重要作用构成了前所未有的挑战。在此期间，与孙辈接触减少可能会威胁到祖辈的心理健康和幸福感。
我们分析了 2020 年 11 月进行的 LOckdown 和 lifeSTyles in Lombardia 横断面研究的数据。该研究包括意大利伦巴第大区的 4400 名老年人的代表性样本，其中 1289 人照顾他们的孙辈。
自我报告的祖辈育儿减少与祖辈出现抑郁症状的可能性增加相关（OR 1.50，95%CI 1.01-2.24）。相反，祖辈育儿增加与睡眠质量较差（OR 11.67，95%CI 5.88-23.17）和睡眠量减少（OR 2.53，95%CI 1.45-4.41）有关。
尽管大流行带来了障碍，但祖辈育儿在维持老年人的心理健康和幸福感方面发挥了有益的作用。然而，必须认识到特定的脆弱性，如性别、绝望感和过度拥挤，这些因素在紧急情况期间和之后可能会产生不利影响。仔细关注这些因素对于制定有针对性的支持系统和干预措施至关重要，这些措施旨在保护老年人的心理健康并增强他们在危机中的适应能力。
