China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey Research Articles

Social participation and loneliness in older adults: the moderating role of views of social change

ABSTRACT Our study investigates the relationship between social participation and loneliness among Chinese older adults, and explores how their views of social change moderate the strength of this relationship. We utilised cross-sectional nationwide data from the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS). Results show that increased online participation and community participation correlated with decreased loneliness, while greater workforce participation associated with increased loneliness. Moreover, older adults’ views of social change could moderate the association between their community participation and loneliness. Our findings indicate that promoting social participation and addressing older adults’ views of social change would help tackle later-life loneliness.

Examining the Relationship Between Internet Use and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adults: Analyses of Mediators and Moderators

ABSTRACT Objectives The study aimed to investigate the influence mechanism underlying the relationship between Internet use and depressive symptoms in Chinese older adults. Methods Data were derived from the 2018 wave of China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey. Mediation and moderation analyses were conducted using Ordinary list squares (OLS) regression analysis. To address potential endogenous issues, we employed the Propensity Score Matching (PSM) method to explore the association between Internet use and depressive symptoms. Results Our findings indicate that Internet use can significantly reduce depressive symptoms and enhance mental health of older adults. Loneliness mediated the relationship between Internet use and depressive symptoms among older adults, while socioeconomic status (SES) moderated this relationship. Furthermore, the four purposes of Internet use, namely online chatting, information searching, recreational activities, consumption and investment, were negatively associated with loneliness and depressive symptoms among older adults. Conclusions The findings emphasize the positive effects of Internet use on the mental health outcomes of older adults. Clinical Implications The proper use of the Internet possesses considerable promise for clinical rehabilitation, targeting the enhancement of the mental health outcomes of older adults during their later life.

Association between Internet use and depression among older adults in China: the chain-mediating role of volunteer activity participation and friend network.

Depression is a significant burden on individuals and society, which requires our attention and action. As the aging wave collides with digitalization, further research is needed to understand how internet use relates to depression in older adults. This study aimed to investigate whether volunteer activity participation and friend networks played a chain mediating role in this relationship from the perspective of the socioemotional selectivity theory. This study's data was derived from the 2018 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS), comprising 5,558 samples. The study employed the OLS model for benchmark regression and multiple robust check methods, including altering variable settings and utilizing the instrumental variable model. In addition, the generalized structural equation model (GSEM) was used to analyze the mechanism. Using the internet was significantly associated with reduced depression in older adults (coefficient = -0.9321, p < 0.001). The instrumental variable model confirmed this reduction (coefficient = -0.9200, p < 0.001). Moreover, we found that there were three indirect pathways of Internet use on depression among older adults: the mediating role of volunteer activity participation (all p-values <0.001), the mediating role of friend network (all p-values <0.001), and the chain mediating role of both factors (all p-values <0.001). Based on the research findings, we suggest mobilizing tech-savvy older adults to assist others in adopting digital technology and using the internet. We also suggest that the government could assist in creating older adult-friendly communities. Social workers could collaborate with tech-savvy older adults to organize various voluntary activities, encouraging more senior citizens to participate. In addition, we recommend that the community should consider the form of activities to help older adults make friends first rather than solely focusing on voluntary activities.

Exploring the Influence of the Perceived Neighborhood Built Environment on the Fall Risks among Older Adults in China

Falls are the leading cause of accidental injury-related deaths among older adults, with approximately 50% of them occurring in the neighborhood built environment. This longitudinal study investigated the influence of the perceived built environment (PBE) on fall risks among Chinese older adults residing in neighborhoods. We utilized data from the 2018 and 2020 waves of the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS), comprising a sample size of 8686 respondents. A complementary log–log (cloglog) regression was used to effectively model falls because of their infrequent occurrence. The results revealed a significant U-shaped non-linear relationship between PBE and falls. As the PBE score increased from relatively low levels, there was a decrease in the probability of falls, indicating that enhancing PBE can effectively protect against fall risks. However, once an average PBE score threshold was reached (around a turning point score of 22), this association may slightly reverse. Living alone and living in urban areas are two major factors that increase the vulnerability of older adults to PBE, resulting in higher fall risks within their neighborhoods. The study enhances the understanding of how PBE affects fall risks among older adults.

Digital Villages Construction and Subjective Well-being of the Elderly: Evidence from China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey

Digital Villages Construction and Subjective Well-being of the Elderly: Evidence from China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey

Who can Benefit From Volunteer Participation? Analysis of Wellbeing Heterogeneity in Volunteer Participation of Older People.

The basic premise of this study is that the traditional method to treating all older people as coming from the same distribution misspecifies the true model and ignores potentially important information in wellbeing outcomes of social participation. Using data from the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS), this paper proposes a finite mixture model (FMM) to identify the heterogeneous relationship between volunteer participation and older people's subjective well-being (SWB) and then explore the determinants of wellbeing heterogeneity in volunteer participation. The results reveal that older people can be classified into two latent subgroups, that is the volunteering beneficiary group (accounting for about 42%) and the volunteering non-beneficiary group (accounting for about 58%). The FMM is therefore more appropriate in estimating the complex impact of volunteering. Rural older people with poorer health, weaker social networks, better economic status, and better community environments are more likely to benefit from volunteer participation. Our findings have suggested some practical implications to increase the probability of benefit from volunteer participation.

Sources of Social Support and Depressive Symptoms Among Chinese Older Adults: A Moderated Mediation of Social Adaptation and Filial Piety.

This study examined the mediating effect of social adaptation on the associations between sources of social support and depressive symptoms among Chinese older adults, and explored how filial piety moderated these associations in different ways. Data were drawn from the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey in 2018 (N = 6617). Regression analysis and bootstrap test were used to assess the mechanisms underlying the inconsistency between different sources of social support and depressive symptoms. We found that social support, except for pension, significantly affected depressive symptoms through social adaptation. Moreover, filial piety positively moderated the mediating effect of social adaptation on the association between social support inside the family and depressive symptoms, while negatively moderating it in regard to social support outside the family, except for pension, and depressive symptoms. The results showed filial piety may affect the extent to which older adults convert different sources of social support into personal subjective welfare.

Relationships between digital engagement and the mental health of older adults: Evidence from China.

Based on the theory of socio-emotional selectivity, this study examines the effect of digital engagement on the mental health of older individuals using data from the 2018 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS). The results show that digital engagement has a significant effect on the mental health of older individuals, manifested by a decline in depression and an enhancement of cognitive abilities. The results are robust by Using instrumental variables to solve endogenous problem and the propensity score matching method to solve selective bias. The analysis of heterogeneity demonstrates that digital engagement can significantly reduce the depression level of older people without chronic diseases and at lower ages and promote the cognitive ability of older adults without chronic diseases and older adults of higher ages. Mechanistic analysis shows that digital engagement can reduce depression in older adults by alleviating loneliness and improving emotional well-being and cognitive performance by enhancing social support. Therefore, digital engagement gives older people a more positive emotional experience and more social support and thereby improves mental health, delivering proactive answers to the problems an aging population brings.

The benefits of physical exercise on older adults’ cognitive function: A cohort study exploring potential mechanisms

BackgroundDespite existing studies showing that physical exercise improves cognitive function in older adults either concurrently or in a delayed manner, studies examining these associations simultaneously are rare. Additionally, the underlying mechanisms in these associations remain incompletely understood. ObjectiveThis study explores the concurrent and delayed (two years later) associations between physical exercise and older adults’ cognitive function. This study also investigates the mediating roles of three negative physical, psychological, and social resources: limitations in daily abilities, depressive mood, and isolation from friends, as well as the moderating roles of cognitive reserve on these associations. DesignA cohort sample of 6646 Chinese older adults (Mean age = 69.28, SD = 7.03) is obtained from the 2016 and 2018 waves of the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey. Regression analysis was employed to test the concurrent and delayed associations between physical exercise and cognitive function. The bootstrap method was utilized to examine the mediating roles of limitations in daily activities, depression mood, and isolation from friends. Interaction terms were generated to investigate the moderating roles of cognitive reserve. ResultsPhysical exercise presents concurrent and delayed positive associations with cognitive function. Limitations in daily activities, depressive mood and isolation from friends mediate the above associations. Moreover, cognitive reserve plays a significant role in buffering the concurrent and delayed negative links between depressive mood, isolation from friends, and cognitive function, with larger negative relationships observed for older adults with lower rather than higher levels of cognitive reserve. ConclusionsThis study validates the concurrent and delayed benefits of physical exercise on older adults’ cognitive function while elucidating the underlying mechanisms. These findings offer practical implications for health policies and intervention programs aimed at enhancing older adults’ cognitive function.

A multi-level analysis of older adults’ care preferences in China: from the perspective of regional resource equality

AbstractThis paper aims to assess the care preferences of the elderly in China and how the multi-level factors including individuals, communities and provinces affect the elderly’s care preferences. Using data from the 2014 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS) and China Statistical Yearbook 2015, we apply concentration index to examine the utilization of regional resources in the elderly and a multi-level model to examine those relationships. Results show that the elderly who live in communities with well-developed health care facilities prefer to choose family care. There are also significant differences at the provincial level. The developed provinces context increases the likelihood of formal care, but decreases informal care probability. In high social security expenditure provinces, the elderly are more likely to choose formal care. Our findings emphasize the influence of the communities and provinces context on the elderly’s care preferences. We suggest the government pay attention to the care status of the elderly who are outside the social care system.

Relationship Between Physical Exercise and Cognitive Function Among Older Adults in China: Cross-Sectional Population-Based Study.

The existing literature reveals several significant knowledge gaps that hinder health care providers in formulating exercise prescriptions for cognitive health. This study endeavors to elucidate the relationship between the level of physical activity and cognitive function in older adults in China. Moreover, it seeks to explore the associations between distinct exercise behaviors-such as exercise types, the purpose motivating engagement in exercise, the accessibility of exercise fields, and the inclination toward exercise-and cognitive function. Using data from the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS conducted in 2016, cognitive function was meticulously assessed through the modified Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination, encompassing measures of orientation, memory, and calculation. Using self-report structured questionnaires, a myriad of information about physical activity during leisure time, exercise engagement, exercise intensity, primary exercise types, reasons for exercise participation, availability of sports facilities, and exercise willingness was diligently gathered. Robust ordinary least squares regression models were then used to compute coefficients along with 95% CIs. A discernible inverted U-shaped trend in cognitive scores emerged as the level of physical activity surpassed the threshold of 500 metabolic equivalents of task (MET) minutes per week. Notably, individuals with a physical activity level between 500 and 999 MET minutes per week exhibited a coefficient of 0.31 (95% CI 0.09 to 0.54), those with a physical activity level between 1000 and 1499 MET minutes per week displayed a coefficient of 0.75 (95% CI 0.52 to 0.97), and those with a physical activity level above 1500 MET minutes per week demonstrated a coefficient of 0.45 (95% CI 0.23 to 0.68). Older individuals engaging in exercise at specific MET levels showcased superior cognitive function compared to their inactive counterparts. Furthermore, individuals driven by exercise motivations aimed at enhancing physical fitness and health, as well as those using sports facilities or public spaces for exercise, exhibited notably higher cognitive function scores. The findings underscore the potential of exercise as a targeted intervention for the prevention and treatment of dementia or cognitive decline associated with aging in older individuals. Leveraging these insights to formulate informed exercise recommendations holds promise in addressing a significant public health challenge linked to aging populations.

Crowding in or Out？National Public Pension, Inter-Generational Contract, and Family Support to Empty-Nest Older Parents in Rural China

ABSTRACT Evidence to date has been inconclusive on the effects of public pension on family support to older adults, and the underlying mechanism behind such effects remains unclear. This study examines the effects of the New Rural Social Pension Scheme on family support to empty-nest older parents in rural China, where family care is traditionally favored for older adults. Using data from the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey, the findings reveal that pension receipt promotes bidirectional financial transfers and intimate relationships between generations, thus increasing (or crowding in) children’s financial and care support to their empty-nest parents. On the other hand, receiving pensions may discourage parental care support to children and partially decrease (or crowd out) children’s financial and care support. This crowding-out effect, however, is limited and thus insufficient for counteracting the crowding-in effects from other pathways. Overall, these findings indicate that national welfare, such as pensions, can encourage family support through inter-generational contracts and intimacy, strengthening familial bonds and facilitating mutual assistance within families. For policy implications, government should prioritize improving benefit levels of public pensions to harness the caregiving potential of families and providing essential services that assist families in addressing care burdens.

The Impact of Family Embeddedness and Community Embeddedness on the Effective Demand for Community- and Home-based Eldercare Services for the Urban Elderly: (Based on the Data of the 2018 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey)

The Impact of Family Embeddedness and Community Embeddedness on the Effective Demand for Community- and Home-based Eldercare Services for the Urban Elderly: (Based on the Data of the 2018 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey)

The effect of intergenerational support from children on loneliness among older adults-the moderating effect of internet usage and intergenerational distance.

Loneliness is a key social and public health issue, mainly affecting the mental health of older adults. The article aimed to explore the influence of intergenerational support from children on loneliness among older adults. Meanwhile, the article also analyzed the moderating effects of internet usage and intergenerational distance in this process. Based on the data received from 2018 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS), the ordinary least square (OLS) regression model was used to analyze the influence of intergenerational support from children on loneliness among older adults. Furthermore, the Bootstrap method was used to test the moderating effect of internet usage and intergenerational distance on the relationship between intergenerational support from children on loneliness among older adults. Baseline regression showed that economic support (β = -0.059, p < 0.001), caregiving support (β = -0.070, p < 0.001), and emotional support (β = -0.108, p < 0.001) from children can positively influence loneliness among older adults. Meanwhile, the results of the moderated effects analysis showed that internet usage and intergenerational distance moderates the relationship between caregiving support, emotional support from children and loneliness among older adults. The article demonstrates that family support, particularly intergenerational support from children plays a pivotal role in alleviating loneliness among older adults, so the government should further regulate the behavior of children's alimony support, improve the digital infrastructure, these measures help to reduce loneliness among older adults and expand the depth and breadth of family care of older adults.

All in the Family: Does Grandparenting Impact Chinese Grandparents’ Depressive Symptoms?

Grandparenting is becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide, especially in Chinese society. However, the impact of grandparenting on older adults’ health remains unclear. This study examined whether and how grandparenting is associated with depressive symptoms in Chinese older adults and the role of intergenerational support (i.e., financial, emotional, and instrumental support) in this relationship. Using data from the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS) 2018 wave, the researchers employed multivariate linear regression models to investigate variations in depressive symptoms and their associations with grandparenting; the role of intergenerational support was also explored. The results indicated that older adults who engage in grandparenting, particularly in non-intensive care, experience a reduction in depressive symptoms, even after accounting for sociodemographic and health-related factors. Overall, intergenerational support plays a mediating role in the relationship between grandparenting and associated mental health outcomes. Bidirectional emotional and financial support and receiving instrumental support were associated with lower depressive symptoms among Chinese grandparents. In general, the findings of this study suggest that grandparenting, along with intergenerational support, provides certain protective health benefits for Chinese grandparents. With rapid changes in Chinese society, further prospective longitudinal studies are needed to examine family contexts in the relationship between grandchild caregiving and associated health outcomes.

Urban-Rural Disparities in the Association Between Home- and Community-Based Service Utilization and Levels of Disability Among Chinese Older Adults With Disabilities.

Home- and community-based services (HCBS) are optimal ways to deal with disability problems among older adults. This study aims to analyze urban-rural disparities in the relationship between HCBS utilization and levels of disability among Chinese older adults with disabilities, so as to meet the long-term care needs of them. In applying the Andersen Behavioral Model, bivariate analysis and multivariate regression models were employed using data from 843 older adults with disabilities from the 2018 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS). After adjusting covariates, disability levels among Chinese older adults with disabilities were significantly correlated with HCBS utilization in urban areas but not in rural areas. The urban-rural disparities may be due to the low utilization of HCBS in rural areas (only 11.2%) among older adults with disabilities compared with their urban counterparts (22.7%).

Exploring the association between social isolation and utilization of primary health services by older adults: evidence from China.

This study aims to investigate the impact of social isolation on the utilization of primary health services among older adults in China. Data from the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS) conducted in 2018 were utilized. A binary logistic regression model was established, and propensity score matching (PSM) was employed for analysis. The results of the binary logistic regression showed that family isolation within social isolation had a significant negative impact on the utilization of primary health services for older adults. In contrast, there was no significant association between friend isolation, community isolation, and the utilization of primary health services. Furthermore, the PSM results, using three matching methods (nearest neighbor matching, radius matching, and kernel matching), confirmed that family isolation significantly reduced older adults' utilization of primary health services, consistent with the baseline regression findings. Reducing the occurrence of family isolation among older adults may be a cost-effective intervention measure. Efforts should be directed toward improving family support for older adults, promoting the utilization of primary health services, and strengthening disease prevention.

Examining the impact of Co-residence with a daughter-in-law on older adult health in China: Evidence from a frailty index-based study

BackgroundThe increasing geriatric population and variation in the disease spectrum among older adults in China contribute to a growing demand for more aged adult care in Chinese society. Relevant studies have shown that living arrangements with various family members have variable impacts on the older adult's health. This study employs the Frailty Index as a unified measurement standard to assess the overall health levels, integrating the specific “in-law relationships” into the research on living arrangements and the health of older adults. MethodsThis study used data from the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey 2016–2018. OLS and Quantile Regression were used to investigate the in-law relationship on older adult health and whether this impact is homogeneous across older individuals with varying infirmity levels. The study used a lag model and propensity score matching to compensate for potential endogeneity concerns. ResultsThe study found that residing with a daughter-in-law (20.22%) had a significant positive correlation with the frailty index (β=0.0088, P＜0.001), indicating that the relationship between parents-in-law and daughters-in-law can influence the health of the older adult. This impact is nonlinear and non-homogeneous for older adult people with various levels of frailty, exhibiting an approximately decreasing and then increasing U-shaped distribution, which denotes that older adult people with different health conditions have distinct demands for intergenerational care. In addition, this impact varies among older adult groups of disparate genders, urban and rural areas, and age groups. ConclusionThis study investigates the impact of “in-law relationships” within living arrangements on the health of older adults. It shows that co-residing with a daughter-in-law has adverse effects on the health of older adults. Therefore, the study suggests that when the health and economic conditions of the elderly permit, a “live-near-but-not-with” living arrangement with their children can be considered.

Association between participation in adult education and subjective wellbeing among older adults: the mediating roles of social isolation and digital isolation and the moderating roles of educational level

ABSTRACT Participation in adult education is a crucial component of the active aging framework. However, there have been limited studies exploring the association between participation in adult education and subjective wellbeing among older adults. Furthermore, the underlying mediating and moderating mechanisms in this association have not been extensively investigated. This study aims to explore the mediating roles of physical and digital isolation, as well as the moderating roles of educational level. A sample of 7,602 older adults (M = 70.97, SD = 7.13) was drawn from the 2018 wave of the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey. Structural equation modeling was employed to test the mediating and moderating roles. The results revealed that participation in adult education is positively associated with higher levels of life satisfaction and lower levels of loneliness among older adults. Both physical isolation and digital isolation play mediating roles in these associations. Moreover, educational level moderates the association between participation in adult education and older adults’ life satisfaction and loneliness. The linkages are significant for older adults with lower levels of education, but not significant for those with higher levels of education. These findings contribute to current knowledge and offer practical implications for improving older adults’ subjective wellbeing through participation in adult education.

Child loss and depressive symptoms among Chinese older adults: The moderating role of community care service

Child loss is recognized as a risk factor for Chinese older adults’ mental health, yet the differential impact and protective factors related to this association are not fully understood. This study examines potential differences in the effects of the deceased child’s gender and only-child status, as well as the moderating role of community care service. Data is collected from a sample of 9686 Chinese older adults through the 2018 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey. The results indicate that the loss of a son has a more significant impact on depressive symptoms among Chinese older adults than the loss of a daughter. The effect of child loss on depressive symptoms is not related to being an only child. Furthermore, community care service can buffer the negative impact of child loss on depressive symptoms. This study holds significant practical implications for enhancing the mental health of bereaved older adults.