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ObjectivesLosing a child prior to midlife may be a uniquely traumatic event that continues to compromise parents' well-being in later life. This study compared psychological well-being between bereaved and non-bereaved parents, and examined whether volunteering protects bereaved parents. Because most families have more than one child, we further explored whether the number of living children parents had differentiated bereaved parents in their well-being.MethodsWe analyzed a pooled sample of parents aged 50+ (N = 12,023) from the Health and Retirement Study (2010/2012-2012/2014), including parents who lost a child prior to 50 and those who never lost a child. Two-level linear regression models were estimated to test the associations between child loss, volunteering, and psychological well-being, and examine the moderating effect of number of living children.ResultsBereaved parents reported more depressive symptoms and lower life satisfaction than their non-bereaved counterparts, which was more evident among parents with fewer children alive. Among bereaved parents, volunteering, particularly volunteering 100+ hours/year, was associated with better psychological well-being at baseline; yet, volunteering 1-99 hours/year led to a larger increase in life satisfaction over time. The benefits of volunteering held true regardless of the number of living children.ConclusionThis study adds to our understanding of the lasting effect of parental bereavement and suggests volunteering as a potential intervention aimed at helping bereaved older parents. Findings identify parents with fewer children as a particularly vulnerable population in the face of child loss and calls for more resources allocated to help them.

[Objective] Jurassic strata are well exposed in the northeastern Qaidam Basin. However, the formation and scale of the Jurassic prototype-basin in this area has been obscured by intense tectonism, and currently remains unclear. Different views have been expressed regarding the original sedimentary relationships of the residual Jurassic depression. [Methods] An integrated analysis of the heavy-mineral assemblages comprising whole-rock geochemistry and U-Pb chronology of detrital zircon was conducted to determine the provenance of the Middle Jurassic in this area. Further, the evolution of Jurassic prototype basin in the study area combined with its paleo-tectonic setting and stratigraphic and sedimentary facies research were discussed. [Results and Conclusions] (1) During the Middle Jurassic, five distinct depositional areas existed in the study area, here designated as areas A, B, C, D and E. (2) The primary source of sediments in the study area was intermediate-to-acidic igneous rock, partially mixed with sedimentary rock. (3) The tectonic setting of the provenance area is dominated by continental island arcs and active continental margin. It is considered that the provenance area was affected by two periods of magmatic events (200-300 and 400500 Ma). (4) A comparison of the potential source areas and the depositional areas led to the following conclusions : Area A was mainly sourced from the North Qaidam UHP belt near the Xitie Mountain, with minor supplementary material from the Oulongbuluke Block. Area B was derived from the South Qilian Mountain in the northeast of the study area. Areas C and D, which have relatively low ZTR, are believed to be mainly sourced from near-source paleo-uplift. Area E was mainly sourced from the Ela Mountain in the east of the study area. (5) During the Middle Jurassic, the study area developed as a series of small-scale, isolated depressions until J2d7, then evolved into a larger, partially unified depression. These findings are highly significant for gaining an understanding of the evolution of the Qaidam Basin and the temporal-spatial changes of the basin-mountain system at the northern margin of the Tibetan Plateau. It is also important for guiding oil and gas exploration in the Qaidam Basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis and interpretation of the Dachaidan area, Qaidam Basin, is difficult, owing to the co-location of two groups of thrust faults (N–E faults and N–W faults) there and the area’s complicated structural deformation history. To address this problem, field geological investigation, seismic study, well logging, and drilling data were used to identify the key fault systems and their distribution patterns through the area. By integrating surface and subsurface structural features and seismic and non-seismic data, we carried out studies using structural modeling and analysis of the Dachaidan area. Study results identified two systems of thrust faults (N–W faults and W–E faults). We found that these faults could be categorized into three systems: a basin-margin thrust system, an intro-basin thrust system, and an intro-basin compression and strike-slip fault system. These systems showed different features in different areas and zones. We also constructed interpretation models of different deformation mechanisms in the basin and on basin margins. Three tectonic systems (compression, extension, and strike-slip) were identified, which were further divided into eight structural domains. We also established structure coexistence and distribution patterns. The overall structural character of the area was summarized as the northern and southern parts belonging to different zones, with the western and eastern parts belonging to different systems. By analyzing the SW–NE tectonic evolution sections, we defined the back-propagation structural evolution sequences of thrust nappes (on the basin margin or in the basin) and back-thrust structures (in the basin) as well as their influence on the residual Mesozoic strata.

Based on the perspective of self-determination theory (SDT) and the cross-cultural, the aim of the present study was to explore the effect of "freedom of choice" on the well-being of institution-dwelling older adults (elderly residences and nursing homes), in particular during leisure activities. Participants (N China = 67, M age = 80.55 years; N France = 90, M age = 82.19 years) were randomly assigned to the "elderly-choice" group or "staff choice" group to participate in a puzzle game. Consistent with SDT, results showed that basic psychological needs satisfaction (autonomy, competence, relatedness) was positively associated with elderly well-being. However, our findings did not demonstrate the importance of freedom of choice for promoting such well-being in the context of leisure activities for either culture; this may be related to the recompense of close relationships or else the particularity of the elderly population. Interestingly, competence satisfaction was observed to act as a complete mediating variable between task performance and well-being only in the French population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although some studies have revealed that traditional filial piety belief is weakening, few have explored whether and how the role of the belief in social life has changed correspondingly. The present study used questionnaires to examine solutions to filial piety dilemmas and the roles of contextual theme, filial piety beliefs, and generation in a sample of 123 young and 92 middle‐aged Chinese adults. With respect to the solutions adopted to solve parent‒child conflicts, preferences varied depending on the dilemma themes. Specifically, participants were more likely to select a self‐sacrifice (rather than an ego‐centered) solution for respect dilemmas than for caring dilemmas, and least likely to do so for obedience dilemmas. Participants were also likely to select a balancing (rather than an ego‐centered) solution for respect or caring dilemmas than for obedience dilemmas. In addition, the concordance between beliefs and solutions was exhibited in reciprocal, but not authoritarian, filial piety beliefs. Individuals with stronger reciprocal filial piety beliefs were more likely to select self‐sacrifice or balancing solutions than ego‐centered solutions whereas authoritarian filial piety showed no influence on solutions for either young or middle‐aged adults. Furthermore, the generation effect was not significant, and the solution selection did not differ between young and middle‐aged adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of parents who have lost their only child (PLOCs) has increased annually with the implementation of the birth control policy in mainland China. This study aimed to investigate the mental health status of PLOCs and the influence of social support and resilience. Study 1 recruited 100 PLOCs and 88 nonbereaved parents, and compared differences in depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Study 2 investigated the influence of social support and resilience on the mental health of PLOCs via a mediating model. Results indicate that PLOCs reported more anxiety and depression symptoms than nonbereaved counterparts. Perceived close family support, objective support, and resilience negatively predicted anxiety and depression. In addition, perceived close family support was found to influence mental health via resilience. The current findings reveal that losing an only child has long-term negative impacts on the mental health of PLOCs. However, perceived close family support and objective support can protect their mental health either directly or indirectly via resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the population ages, it is important to understand the factors that contribute to well‐being in the elderly. The purpose of this study is to perform a systematic review and meta‐analysis of research on well‐being among elderly people conducted particularly within the framework of self‐determination theory and, more precisely, to study the relationships among basic psychological need satisfaction, motivation, and well‐being. Therefore, a systematic search of the literature was conducted using the databases PsycINFO, PsycARTICLES, Academic Onefile, MEDLINE, Science Direct, and ERIC to find studies published in English and French. China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) was used to find studies published in Chinese. Ultimately, 23 studies (mainly from the United States, Canada, and Europe; no studies published in China were found) in the field of aging were used for the systematic analysis, 17 of which were used for the meta‐analysis. The results reported in these publications are relatively congruent with the idea that basic psychological need satisfaction and motivation (autonomous types) are positively associated with positive indicators of well‐being (meaning in life, life satisfaction, positive affect, self‐esteem, etc.) and negatively associated with negative indicators of well‐being (depression, apathy, etc.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attachment theory indicates that romantic partners' availability and responsiveness provide individuals with a sense of security and the repeated experience of which could have enduring effects on individuals' subjective well-being and relationship outcomes. We proposed that retrieving episodic memory and episodic simulation related to secure-base support could also help individuals obtain information about partners' responsiveness, which in turn would promote long-term subjective well-being and relationship satisfaction. To provide the evidence of this notion, the current study investigated the relationship between partner's responsiveness in episodic memory/simulation of secure-base support and relationship satisfaction as well as subjective well-being. We recruited 136 young adults (M age = 21.89, SD = 2.57) who were currently involved in a romantic relationship for at least 6 months. Participants completed measures of relationship satisfaction and subjective well-being; then, they provided specific episodic memory and simulations related to secure-base support as well as rated partners' responsiveness in each event. Results indicated that partners' responsiveness in both episodic memory and simulations was significantly positively related to participants' relationship satisfaction and subjective well-being. These results provide novel implications for the function of episodic memory and episodic simulation of secure-base support in the attachment system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]