Childhood adversities and unmet needs of older Chinese adults: the mediation effects of family relationships

Ensuring equality and adequacy of care for older adults is vitally important. This study investigates the relationships between childhood adversities and unmet long-term care needs of older adults in China and the mediation effects of family relationships. The data came from a nationally representative sample of older Chinese adults aged 60 and over with long-term care needs (N = 2186). We conducted mediation analyses and decomposed the total effects of childhood adversities on unmet needs into direct and indirect effects. The probability of unmet needs is significantly higher among older adults experiencing childhood adversities. Satisfaction with marriage mediates the association between childhood adversities and unmet personal care needs. Relationships with children mediate the association between childhood adversities and unmet domestic care needs. The causes of unmet needs can be traced back to early life, which underscores the importance of concerted efforts in family, education and long-term care policies to tackle unmet needs.