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Living Arrangements, Health and Well-Being: A European Perspective [project complete]

Researchers

Emily Grundy

Emily Grundy
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Email:Emily.grundy@lshtm.ac.uk

web:http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/cps/staff/egrundy.html

Harriet Young

Harriet Young
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Email:harriet.young@lshtm.ac.uk

web:http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/cps/staff/hyoung.html

Abstract:

This project focuses on the possible consequences of different types of living arrangements for the health and well-being of older people, and will be based on analysis of existing data sources. Demographic changes over the last century have led to older age structures throughout Europe, accompanied by major social, economic and family-related changes. There have been declines in the proportions of older people living with children and increases in proportions living alone. However, substantial differences between countries remain. Research to date indicates that the consequences of different living arrangements for the health and well-being of older people is not clear-cut, and may be influenced by factors including social ties outside the household, socio-economic factors and cultural norms.

In this research, the European Social Survey (ESS), the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) and the Office for National Statistics Longitudinal Study will be used to analyse associations between living arrangements and health and well-being across Europe and in more detail for England and Wales. The influence of extra-household support, socio-economic status and cultural norms on this association will be examined using the ESS for Europe, and ELSA for England. Additionally for England and Wales, pathways to living arrangements and the effects of these on associations with health will be analysed using the Office for National Statistics Longitudinal Study.   

Our specific objectives for analysis are as follows:

  • analyse associations between living arrangements and health and well-being among older people across Europe, focusing on differences within countries and between countries and regions/types of countries;
  • analyse in more detail associations between living arrangements and health and well-being among older people in England/ England and Wales; and
  • examine prior histories of those in particular living arrangements and the effect allowing for these has on observed associations with health in England and Wales.

Department:

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine

Duration:

1 January 2006 to 31 December 2006

Grant Type:

Small Research Grant

Publications

Research findings

Young, H. and Grundy, E. (2010) Household and happiness among older unmarried Europeans, Under review with Ageing & Society.

Young, H. and Grundy, E. (2009). Living arrangements, health and well-being. In Stillwell, J., Coast, E. and Kneale, K. (eds) Fertility, Living Arrangements, Care and Mobility Understanding Population Trends and Processes Volume 1, Springer, London, pp. 127-150.

Grundy, E. (2008). The challenges of ageing: Prospects for the family support of older people in 21st century Europe. In Surkyn, J., Deboosere, P. and Van Bavel,. J. (eds.) Demographic Challenges for the 21st Century: A State of the Art in Demography, Liber Amicorum Ron Lesthaeghe, VUBPRESS Brussels University Press, Brussels, pp.224-246.

Presentations

Grundy, E. (2007) Ageing Europe: 21st Century implication, Presentation.

Young, H. and Grundy, E. (2007) Presentation at the British Society for Population Studies conference in St Andrews, 11-13 September.

Young, H. (2007) Presentation at the European Conference, Liverpool.

Young, H. and Grundy, E. (2007) presentation at the UPTAP Conference, Leeds 21-23 March.

Young, H. and Grundy, E. (2007) Presentation at the Colloquium Demographic Challenges for the 21st Century: A State of the Art in Demography’in honour of Prof. Dr. Ron Lesthaeghe, Brussels, 15-16 February.

Young, H. (2007) Presentation of analysis of ELSA data on psychosocial health and living arrangements.

Young, H. and Grundy, E. (2006) Presentation at the Population Geography Research Group, Royal Geographical Society, 30 August.

Young, H. and Grundy, E. (2006) Presentation at the European Population Conference, Liverpool, 21-24 June.

Young, H. (2006) Living Arrangements, Health and Wellbeing Amongst Older People: a European Perspective, Presentation based on ESS analysis.

Young, H. and Grundy, E. (2006) Presentation at the UPTAP Inaugural Conference, Leeds 30-31 March.