>Objective: Involvement in paid employment can affect family members experience as caregivers for older relatives. Based on Pearlin’s stress model, this study explores the potential moderating effect of employment status on caregiving time and depressive symptoms among adult children caregivers in mainland China. >Method: Participants included 660 adult children caregivers from a nationally representative sample of individuals aged 45+ (N=13,204) from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) Wave 2 (2013). Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the direct effect of time spent in the caregiver role and the moderating effect of employment status on symptoms of depression of caregivers. >Results: The direct effect of caregiving time and employment status on depressive symptoms varied by gender. Male adult children caregivers reported experiencing higher levels of depressive symptoms if they were currently working (B=5.428, p<0.05) or spent more hours per year providing care to their parents (or parents-in-law) (B=2.040, p<0.05).These patterns were not found among female adult children caregivers. Employment status had a moderating effect on the relationship between caregiving and depressive symptoms. Among males spending more time on caregiving, those who were employed experienced lower levels of depressive symptoms (B= -1.794, p<0.05). >Discussion: Working may buffer the effect of caregiving on depression among male adult children caregivers. Findings offer evidence that Pearlin’s stress model is applicable to adult children providing care of elderly parents in mainland China and inform policies and programs addressing employment issues that could support adult children caregivers achieving better health.
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