FINANCIAL STRAIN, RECEIVED SUPPORT, ANTICIPATED SUPPORT, AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN THE PEOPLES-REPUBLIC-OF-CHINA

The purpose of this study is to examine the interface between financia l strain, informal received economic support, informal anticipated fin ancial support, and psychological distress in later life. Data provide d by a large probability sample of older adults in the People's Republ ic of China reveal that the relationship between financial difficulty and psychological distress is stronger for older adults who receive mo re economic assistance. However, the results involving anticipated sup port are in the opposite direction. More specifically, the association between financial problems and psychological distress is lower for ol der adults who believe that others stand ready to help in the future s hould the need arise. A detailed theoretical rationale is developed to explain these results.