The positive effects of activity involvement on the subjective well-being of Chinese older adults: a moderated effects model

Abstract

ABSTRACT Based on active aging theory, this study examined the positive associations among three forms of activity involvement, i.e. full-time or part-time job involvement, family chores involvement, and social activities involvement, as well as older adults’ subjective well-being (SWB). Furthermore, the moderating effects of different economic statuses, levels of family care satisfaction, and interpersonal relations self-concepts among older adults on the relationships between these three activities and older adults’ SWB were examined. A total of 332 Chinese older adults participated in the study by completing measures of their SWB, full-time or part-time job involvement, family chores involvement, social activities involvement, economic status, family care satisfaction, interpersonal relations self-concept, and demographic information. The data were investigated by conducting a mixed-model effects regression analysis. The results showed that older adults who participate in full- or part-time jobs and social activities exhibit higher levels of SWB than their counterparts. Three factors, i.e. ‘economic status,’ ‘family care satisfaction,’ and ‘interpersonal relations self-concept,’ moderate the associations between older adults’ involvement in these three activities and their SWB. The findings of this study highlight the importance of employment and social activities for enhancing older adults’ SWB as well as the moderating effects of economic status, family care satisfaction, and interpersonal relations self-concept in this context; these findings thus have strategic implications for improving SWB in older adults.