The Characteristics and the Influencing Factors of Rural Elders’ Social Networks: Evidence from China

Abstract

Due to the immature formal care system, social networks have provided a new way to solve the support dilemma for Chinese rural elders. With few studies exploring social networks from a multi-dimensional perspective, this study aimed to comprehensively explore the characteristics and associated factors of rural elders’ social networks in China. Data were drawn from a national survey of 1126 rural elders in China. An Ordinary Least Squares linear regression model was used to analyze the factors associated with network size, network heterogeneity, and network strength (the weak link strength). The results showed that rural elders’ social networks in China presented the characteristics of a smaller size, a lower heterogeneity, and a weaker strength of “the weak link” (that is, the tendency to associate with external network members). Individual factors, family factors, and community factors, especially income, marital status, and number of children, were important influencing factors of characteristics of China’s rural elders’ social networks. These findings highlighted the importance of family, children, and formal support in rural China, offering implications for policy-making and service delivery. More attention should be paid to the relevant factors to enrich the social networks of rural elders and to ensure their happy lives in later years.