Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/324365 
Year of Publication: 
2025
Series/Report no.: 
IZA Discussion Papers No. 17967
Publisher: 
Institute of Labor Economics (IZA), Bonn
Abstract: 
Leveraging nationally representative data from the 2011-2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Study (CLHLS), this study examines the impact of spousal death on long-term care (LTC) needs among Chinese older adults aged 60 and above. Our results show that spousal bereavement significantly increases the probability of LTC needs by 5.0-9.1 percentage points across severity levels (low, medium, and high). Such adverse effects are much stronger among older individuals aged 75+. Our mechanism analysis identifies three key pathways through which spousal bereavement increases LTC needs, including the loss of primary caregiving, worsened emotional stress, and increased healthcare utilization especially for inpatient costs. Our findings highlight the urgent need for targeted LTC policies that support vulnerable widowed populations, particularly older widows.
Subjects: 
emotional stress
primary caregiving
long-term care needs
spousal bereavement
healthcare utilization
JEL: 
J12
J14
H55
I12
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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