照料失能配偶对老年女性健康的影响——基于CHARLS数据的实证分析
The Impact of Caring for a Disabled Spouse on the Health of Elderly Women—An Empirical Analysis Based on CHARLS Data

目的：本研究旨在探究照料失能配偶对老年女性健康状况的影响，包括心理健康和身体健康两方面。方法：本研究基于2018年中国健康与养老追踪调查数据(CHARLS)，构建最小二乘法(OLS)回归模型和二阶段最小二乘法(2SLS)回归模型。结果：照料失能配偶与老年女性心理健康和自评健康在1%显著性水平下呈高度负向相关关系；照料失能配偶对老年女性健康的影响存在年龄、受教育水平和居住地类型的显著差异；睡眠时间、体育锻炼和社交频率在其中起到中介效应。照料失能配偶与老年女性心理健康之间的相关系数是？0.261，照料失能配偶与老年女性身体健康之间的相关系数是？0.240。结论：照料失能配偶严重影响老年女性心理和身体健康，照料失能配偶使老年女性的睡眠时间、体育锻炼和社会交往减少，从而降低其健康水平。基于研究结果，提出以下建议：加快构建多层次养老服务体系，实现政府和市场的有效配合；建立健全的家庭照料支持政策；对照料失能配偶的老年女性提供关怀和照顾。
Objective: This study aimed to explore the impact of caring for disabled spouses on the health status of elderly females, Including both mental health and physical health. Methods: Data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) 2018 was used. To analyze the data, a least squares regression model (OLS) and a two-stage least squares regression model (2SLS) was established. Results: There exists a high negative correlation between caring for disabled spouse and health of elderly females at 1% significance level. In addition, through data analysis, we found that the effects of caring for disabled spouses on the health of older female vary significantly by age, education level and residence type. Finally, Sleep duration, physical exercise, and social interaction mediate the relationship. The correlation coefficient between caring for a disabled husband and the psychological health of elderly females is ？0.261, while the correlation coefficient between caring for a disabled husband and the physical health of elderly females is ？0.240. Conclusions: Caring for a disabled spouse seriously might seriously affect the mental and physical health of elderly females. Caring for a disabled spouse reduces the sleep duration, physical exercise, and social interaction of elderly women, thereby lowering their health levels. According to the research results, the following suggestions were put forward: To accelerate the construction of a multi-level elderly care service system to achieve effective cooperation between the government and the market; to establish a sound family care support policy; care and attention should be given to older females caring for disabled spouses.