Conference Agenda

Population ageing in Europe is a prominent demographic trend characterised by a rising proportion of older individuals due to declining birth rates and increased life expectancy. By 2050, over 30% of the EU population is projected to be 65 and older. Ageing poses many problems and new opportunities that are more than just demographical, as this process also affects market dynamics, consumer behaviour, and societal structures. Among European countries, Italy has the highest percentage of the population aged 65 and over, and this presents unique challenges, especially concerning health and well-being dimensions. This paper discusses the preliminary findings of the SENIOR project, which arises from the collaboration between the University of Cagliari and organisations operating in the third sector. The project aims to map - through structured surveys and qualitative interviews - the needs and purchasing behaviours of elderly individuals in Italy. Adapting Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (MHN) survey focuses on the needs of health, daily life and technology, housing, social relations and inclusion, and unmet needs of the elderly population. The insights gathered will inform policies and initiatives to enhance the well-being of older adults, adapting to the evolving landscape of the silver economy and their care needs.

The growing aging population in Europe has led to a significant increase in the demand for caregiving services for older adults and individuals with physical or cognitive impairments. In a context where caregiving still remains an important family responsibility, especially for women, it is paramount to take into consideration the needs and well-being of caregivers.

In this study, relying on 2019 EHIS data, we address the relationship between providing informal caregiving – to both family and non-family members – and caregiver’s well-being in 29 European countries from a gender perspective.

Preliminary results show the existence of a significant negative relationship between caregiving responsibilities and mental health, at least in terms of feeling down or depressed. In addition, this relationship seems to change depending on individual characteristics – sex primarily – and across countries. In the following steps, we will deepen these differentiated consequences, also considering the intensity of the caregiving activities and taking into account different facets of mental health.

In low fertility contexts, where the direct and indirect costs of children are high and rising, understanding whether childbearing is perceived to improve subjective wellbeing (SWB) is crucial. Fertility desires may seem difficult to reconcile with the pursuit of other life goals that matter for SWB. This is especially true in Italy, where young people’s working conditions are often precarious, and the familistic welfare system implies that women are the primary caregivers. To evaluate the desirability of children under different scenarios, we will implement a Factorial Survey Experiment on a sample of 6,000 Italian women and men aged 25-49. Respondents will judge fictional situations (vignettes) representing scenarios with varying couple- and contextual-specific characteristics. The first set of dimensions relates to the fictitious couple’s situation: presence and number of children, partners’ age and employment, household income, division of housework, and housing. The second focuses on family policies, i.e., financial transfers and childcare services. Our outcome is the respondent’s evaluation of the life satisfaction of the female and male partner in the fictitious couple. We can hence assess how fictitious partners’ wellbeing varies depending on the presence and number of children in conjunction with socio-economic conditions, and examine related gender inequalities.

Depression is among the leading causes of the global health-related burden and thus a reason of public health concern. As individuals age the risk of depression may increase because of important life changes and events, such losing a spouse. In this study I investigate whether engagement in volunteering activities can lower the depression risk among widowers. I apply the parametric g-formula to data from the Health and Retirement Study to simulate an intervention aimed at assessing the effect of volunteering on depression among widowers, its heterogeneity, and to assess the mediating role of health and economic resources. Preliminary results indicate that engaging in volunteering activities is beneficial for lowering the risk of depression among widowers, with greater benefits among women.