Abstract
Scholars are divided as to how the protective effect of SES on health (the SES-health gradient) varies over the later-life course: The age-as-leveler perspective suggests that the SES-health gradient weakens with age, whereas the cumulative (dis)advantages perspective suggests that it strengthens with age. To clarify this, we used SHARE 2004-2017 (73,407 respondents from 19 European countries) and CHARLS 2011-2018 (8,370 Chinese respondents). Congruent with the age-as-leveler perspective, growth curve models revealed that the overall protective effect of SES on multimorbidity was weaker for older than younger adults (the country-specific effects were significant in two thirds of the case). We interpret this as a selection effect. However, the within-participant protective effect of SES on multimorbidity did not vary over the later-life course (the country-specific effects were nonsignificant in the majority of the case). Findings suggest that extant cross-sectional studies should be interpreted with caution and that longitudinal, cross-national studies are needed.
Highlights
Scholars are divided as to how the protective effect of SES on health varies over the later-life course: The age-as-leveler perspective suggests that the SEShealth gradient weakens with age, whereas the cumulativeadvantages perspective suggests that it strengthens with age
Congruent with the age-as-leveler perspective, growth curve models revealed that the overall protective effect of SES on multimorbidity was weaker for older than younger adults
The withinparticipant protective effect of SES on multimorbidity did not vary over the later-life course
Summary
Scholars are divided as to how the protective effect of SES on health (the SES-health gradient) varies over the later-life course: The age-as-leveler perspective suggests that the SEShealth gradient weakens with age, whereas the cumulative (dis)advantages perspective suggests that it strengthens with age. Congruent with the age-as-leveler perspective, growth curve models revealed that the overall protective effect of SES on multimorbidity was weaker for older than younger adults (the countryspecific effects were significant in two thirds of the case). The withinparticipant protective effect of SES on multimorbidity did not vary over the later-life course (the country-specific effects were nonsignificant in the majority of the case).
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