Chinese Retirees Research Articles

THE EFFECTS OF POSTRETIREMENT WORK ON WELL-BEING OF RETIRED ADULTS

Abstract There has been evidence that a growing number of retirees are reentering the labor force (DeSilver, 2016; Greenwald et al., 2017), possibly due to financial needs and seeking continuity in their preretirement job (Burkert & Hockfellner, 2017). However, the effects of post-retirement work on retirees’ well-being remain under-examined. This cross-sectional study thereby aims to examine the effects of post-retirement work in a sample of 768 younger and 530 older Hong Kong Chinese retirees (Mage = 65.1, SD = 2.72, range = 60 – 69, and Mage = 75.2, SD = 4.50, range = 70 – 95, respectively). Participation in post-retirement work, life satisfaction, cognitive functioning and hand-grip strength were measured. The results of two-way between-subject robust ANOVAs demonstrated that retirees engaging in post-retirement work exhibited lower life satisfaction (Q = 5.82, p = .02) but higher cognitive functioning (Q = 5.29, p = .02) than those without post-retirement work. Furthermore, as compared with younger retirees, older retirees engaging in post-retirement work exhibited higher cognitive functioning (Q = 3.66, p = .05) and stronger hand-grip strength (Q = 4.21, p = .04). These results remain significant even after controlling for sex, education, socioeconomic status, perceived health, and financial control. The findings of this study thus reveal the beneficial effects of post-retirement work on cognitive and physical health, but not on life satisfaction. The negative effect of post-retirement work on subjective well-being will be discussed in relation to the unsatisfactory working environment or employee benefits received by older workers in Hong Kong.

How do the non-cognitive skills affect retirees' reemployment? Evidence from China.

Promoting the reemployment of retirees is important to effectively recognize the capacity of older adults and to help governments cope with an aging global population. Existing research on the factors that impact reemployment has mainly focused on the role of traditional forms of human capital, like education and experience, while ignoring non-cognitive skills. Based on 3,693 samples, this study examines the impact of non-cognitive skills on the reemployment of Chinese retirees using the Logit model through the lens of human capital theory. The results show that non-cognitive skills incentivize retirees to seek reemployment. The incentive effect is greater for retirees who are male, live in a rural household, and are of lower age and education level. Further, the mediation effect model reveals the mediating role of social capital between non-cognitive skills and the reemployment of retirees. Social capital is important to the promotion of retiree reemployment. This study ultimately sheds light on the relationship between non-cognitive skills and the reemployment of retirees. Findings will help improve governments' understandings of non-cognitive skills so that they may develop better policies on retiree reemployment.

The "Silver Wave" in Douyin: Media Practice and Self-Presentation of Chinese Retirees

The "Silver Wave" in Douyin: Media Practice and Self-Presentation of Chinese Retirees

Prevalence and associated factors of poor sleep quality among Chinese retirees: A multicenter cross-sectional study

BackgroundSleep problems are common among older adults worldwide. The present study aims to determine the prevalence of poor sleep quality and its independent factors among retired people in health check-ups population in China. MethodIn this multicenter, cross-sectional survey in 2017, a group of retired people was invited to participate in an online survey of health status, and their data, including socio-demographic information, lifestyle, and medical characteristics, were recorded. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the independent factors responsible for poor sleep quality. ResultsData from 17,408 responders who met the inclusion criteria were analyzed; among them, 53.04 % (95 % CI = 52 %–54 %) reported poor sleep quality. Binary logistic regression showed that poor sleep quality was associated with a number of factors, including being female (OR = 1.42, 95 % CI = 1.32–1.53), being single (OR = 1.35, 95 % CI = 1.18–1.54), non-smoker (OR = 1.12, 95 % CI = 1.03–1.22), physical inactivity (OR = 1.14, 95 % CI = 1.05–1.23), poor self-rated health status (OR = 1.69, 95 % CI = 1.43–2.00), long-term medication use (OR = 1.05, 95 % CI = 1.07–1.23), chronic pain (OR = 1.33, 95 % CI = 1.22–1.45), comorbidity (OR = 1.16, 95 % CI = 1.07–1.25), and depressive symptoms (mild depression: OR = 2.14, 95 % CI = 1.96–2.34; moderate depression: OR = 4.00, 95 % CI = 3.49–4.58, moderately severe depression: OR = 4.15, 95 % CI = 3.47–4.97, severe depression: OR = 4.27, 95 % CI = 2.93–6.22); while age (OR = 0.99, 95 % CI = 0.99–1.00) was negatively related to poor sleep quality. ConclusionThe prevalence of poor sleep quality in the studied population is relatively high (53.04 %). Sleep problems are common among Chinese retirees, especially older females, and have a great impact on their quality of life. People living with depression, chronic diseases, and chronic pain were at a higher risk of developing sleep disorders. Therefore, it is critical to formulate effective management strategies for Chinese retirees with poor sleep quality in the context of healthy aging.

Research on the Optimal Asset Allocation Decision of Chinese Retirees from the Perspective of Health

This paper constructs an optimal asset allocation decision model for retirees based on the characterization of the CRRA utility function and health stock, and uses the Ramsey equation to obtain the optimal intertemporal asset allocation under steady-state conditions. Combining with the actual situation of Chinese retirees, the theoretical model is numerically simulated and analyzed. The results show that different health shock intensities lead to different asset allocation decisions. Based on the research results, this paper puts forward relevant suggestions on how to make optimal asset allocation decisions for retirees and how the government formulates social policies to cope with the aging society.

Framing the Training Needs Analysis: A Survey among Retirees in China

This study aims to identify the types of training required by Chinese retirees and provide a foundation for creating a novel training service tailored to this demographic. It will be accomplished through qualitative and quantitative methods, including a document review and a questionnaire survey. According to the results, feelings of loneliness are related to not living with children and a lack of interest in engaging in social activities or taking advantage of educational opportunities. They need the interest training service because it will make them happier and less lonely.

Mobilising therapeutic landscapes: Lifestyle migration of the Houniao and the spatio-temporal encounters with nature

This paper explores older people’s perceptions and imaginations of nature and the making of therapeutic landscapes during lifestyle migration. It explores therapeutic landscapes through three interrelated dimensions: in-person experiences, representations, and spatio-temporal dynamics. Specifically, it examines the seasonal migration of the Houniao (‘snowbirds’) from northern China to Sanya, a tropical city in Hainan province. The Houniao are mostly Chinese retirees traveling between the north and south across seasons in pursuit of healthy lifestyles. First, they reappreciate the healing power of nature through experiences of seasonal mobilities and health decline/improvement. Second, their therapeutic imaginations and representations of nature are shaped by medical science and more importantly by myths and magic, and are related to the meanings of lifestyle migration. Third, the Houniao (re)produce and mobilise the spatio-temporality of therapeutic landscapes and negotiate healthy lifestyles during regular movements and multi-site living. This paper highlights a mobilities perspective to understand the production of therapeutic landscapes and scrutinises the spatio-temporal dynamics and complexity of nature and its healing power in lifestyle migration.

Association of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and periodontitis severity in Chinese elderly: a cross-sectional study.

Periodontitis is a local inflammatory disease of high prevalence worldwide. Increasing evidence has shown its association with cardiovascular diseases. While high-density lipoprotein is an important protective factor in preventing cardiovascular diseases, this study aims to examine whether high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level is associated with different status of periodontitis. A total of 874 Chinese retirees (≥ 60years of age) with different statuses of periodontitis were enrolled. Periodontal clinical data were collected to define periodontal disease severity (no, mild-moderate, severe). Peripheral blood was collected for serum lipid profile analysis. Linear and logistic regression analysis with adjustment for potential confounders (gender, age, BMI, alcohol intake, exercise frequency, smoking habits) were used to determine the association of periodontitis with HDL-C. After adjustments for confounders, linear regression analyses revealed a significant relationship between the decreased HDL-C and periodontitis severity (p < 0.05). Although the multivariable-adjusted ORs of decreased HDL-C were not statistically significant, logistic regression analyses showed Chinese elderly with severe periodontitis had higher odds of exhibiting clinically abnormal HDL-C levels than those without periodontitis. The elderly population with periodontitis showed HDL-C levels significantly lower than those without periodontitis. The severity of periodontitis was positively correlated with serum HDL-C levels. Periodontitis reduces HDL-C level in the elderly population, indicating that oral health should be paid attention to in the prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia.

“Beijing Dama Have Something to Say”: Group Identification and Online Collective Action among Re

In 2016, a WeChat account called “Beijing Dama Have Something to Say” was created by a small Beijing-based company. Now widely known among retirees throughout China, this platform provides its public – mostly composed of recently retired women born between the late 1940s and the mid-1960s – with hundreds of videos where volunteer retired women speak up in the name of elderly people’s interests and spread awareness of their shared difficulties and injustices as a generation. Using ethnographic materials and video content analysis, this paper takes the “Beijing Dama” as a case study to address the development of new forms of “group consciousness” among Chinese retirees, leading them to defend their collective interests online despite China’s constraining political environment.

Community Participation and Subjective Wellbeing: Mediating Roles of Basic Psychological Needs Among Chinese Retirees.

Objectives: Participation in various social organizations, including community organizations, has become an important part of later year. The current study examined the effects of community participation on subjective wellbeing (SWB) and mediating mechanisms among retired residents. Specifically, this study attempts to explain the link between community participation and SWB from the perspective of basic psychological needs (BPN).Methods: A total of 1,458 community-dwelling retirees aged ≥50years in China participated in this study. A self-developed questionnaire measured the general levels of community participation. BPN were assessed with the BPN Scale. SWB was represented by life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect.Results: Community participation positively predicted one’s SWB. Specifically, retirees with a higher levels of community participation often indicated higher life satisfaction and positive affect, and lower negative affect. Three BPN, which consist of needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness, mediated the effect of community participation on SWB, respectively, after controlling for some main demographic and socioeconomic factors.Conclusion: The BPN perspective provides a comprehensive explanation for understanding the link between community participation and SWB. Policymakers should consider the role of community participation when developing measures to improve retirees’ quality of life.

How Does Self-Concept Differentiation Work in Chinese Retirees: A Moderated Mediation Analysis.

Self-concept differentiation (SCD) is a sign of fragmentation of the self rather than specialization of role identities for its robust relationship with psychological adjustment. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying the relationship between SCD and psychological adjustment. The aim of this study was to examine the mediating role of self-consistency and congruence (SCC) in the association between SCD and psychological adjustment (psychological well-being, depression, and anxiety), and the moderating role of age in the relationship between SCD and SCC. This moderated mediation model was examined among 158 Chinese retirees (mean age = 71.12, SD = 9.13), who completed measurements regarding SCD, SCC, psychological well-being, anxiety, and depression. The results showed that SCC partially mediated the links between SCD and the indices of psychological adjustment. Furthermore, age moderated this mediation effect, which was found in mean and high-age participants, but not in low-age ones. Our findings indicate that, at different age stages, the internal mechanisms of SCD affecting psychological adaptation are not the same, and a low differentiated or highly integrated self can serve as an adaptive resource to maintain high subjective well-being of the elderly and protect them from anxiety and depression.

Social Participation and Depressive Symptoms Among Chinese Retirees

With the rapid growth of the older population in China, the number of retirees is expanding. The retirement transition can lead to the loss of roles/challenge self-identity, increasing the risk of depression. Social participation may have a protective role in the context of retirement. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between social participation and depressive symptoms among Chinese retirees. Using cross-sectional data from the 2015 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey (CHARLS), we investigated 1949 retirees (Mean age = 66.11, SD=0.37). Social engagement was measured by summing participation in 10 social activities (e.g., interacting with friends, volunteering). Depressive symptoms were measured using the CESD-10; a score ≥ 10 was used to define depression. Participants, on average, engaged in 1.42 (SD=0.06) social activities and 16.8% of them had depression. Results of logistic regression indicate a significant relationship between social participation and depressive symptoms (p=0.014). For every additional social activity, the odds of depression decreased by 17%, holding age, gender, marital status, education, total income, and numbers of chronic diseases constant. Social activity is associated with depression among Chinese retirees. Future studies should explore the effects of specific types of activities on the mental health of Chinese retirees.

Attitudes Toward Retirement Drive the Effects of Retirement Preparation on Psychological and Physical Well-Being of Hong Kong Chinese Retirees Over Time

Recent findings on retirement preparation found a positive impact on the psychological and physical well-being of retirees. However, the types of mental resources that are driving the relationship, such as attitudes toward retirement, only received limited attention. Reasoning from previous findings, we posit that attitudes toward retirement would explain the relationship between retirement preparation and well-being over time after retirement. A three-wave study was conducted in a sample of 130 Hong Kong Chinese retirees over a period of 1.5 years. Data were collected 6 months prior to retirement (T1) and 6 and 12 months after retirement (T2 and T3, respectively), in which preretirement preparation, attitudes toward retirement, and psychological and physical well-being were measured. The positive effect of T1 retirement planning on T3 physical and psychological well-being was partially mediated by T2 attitudes toward retirement. These results remain significant even after controlling for gender, education level, preretirement occupation, and well-being at T1. These findings reveal the role of attitudes toward retirement in driving postretirement adjustment over time.

Social Network Size and Subjective Well-Being: The Mediating Role of Future Time Perspective Among Community-Dwelling Retirees.

An accumulating body of literature has confirmed the effect of social networks on the subjective well-being (SWB). However, the relevant mechanism for the relationship between them requires further exploration. This research examined the association between social network size and SWB and the mediating role of future time perspective (FTP) among Chinese retirees. We modeled the relationship between social network size, FTP, and SWB by two sub-studies. SWB was indicated by life satisfaction, positive affect, negative affect, and meaning in life. FTP comprised two dimensions: focusing on opportunity in future and focusing on limitation of time. Study 1 used the number of Spring Festival greeters, and Study 2 used the size of networks based on common actions (discussion, mutual helping, and social participation) as indicators of network size to examine the association and mediating effect among 1097 and 335 community-dwelling retirees, respectively. Both studies revealed that social network size was positively associated with SWB; FTP-opportunity but not FTP-limitation mediated above associations, when possible confounding variables were controlled for. Findings confirm relevance of social networks in the SWB of retirees, and provide a new insight into the role of FTP as an explanatory mechanism.

RETIREMENT ADJUSTMENT: COMPARISON AMONG CHINESE, JAPANESE, AND KOREAN RETIREES

Moving into retirement is a stressful life event. However, recent research findings suggest that not every retiree experiences maladjustment. This paper investigated longitudinal changes in depressive symptoms during the retirement transition utilizing harmonized data of CHARLS, JSTAR, and KLoSA. Participants were selected for examination if meeting the following criteria: They were working in Wave 1 and had retired in Wave 2 (China=1053; Japan=184; Korea=706). These participants were categorized into two subgroups based on their status in Wave 3, either remained retired or reemployed. The proportion of retirees who were reemployed in Wave 3 is significantly higher in Korea (49.3%) and China (41.1%) than in Japan (17.4%). In each wave, the level of depressive symptoms was measured by the 10-item CES-D scale. Results of the repeated measures analyses show that, even after controlling for gender, mean level of depression increased over time among Korean retirees [F(2,702)=3.65,p=.026,η2=.010], whereas Japanese retirees’ depressive symptoms only increased in Wave 2 (Mean Difference =.83,SE=.39,p=.034) but not in Wave 3. Among Chinese, depressive symptoms did not significantly worsen after retirement, but the changes varied between retired persons and those who were reemployed in Wave 3 [F(1,1030)=4.25, p=.040, η2=.004]. Specifically, individuals who were reemployed after retirement experienced a reduction in depressive symptoms between Wave 1 and 3, whereas a reverse pattern is shown among retirees. This suggests that reemployment is beneficial to the well-being of Chinese retirees. The effects of socioeconomic factors (e.g., private and public health insurance and pension support) on depressive symptoms will be discussed.

Longitudinal Evidence for the Effects of Social Group Engagement on the Cognitive and Mental Health of Chinese Retirees.

Research investigating the health benefits of social group participation in the retirement transition has provided little insight into the longitudinal effects on cognitive health and the generalizability of these relationships to non-Western samples. The present paper addresses these issues by examining the effects of social group engagement on the cognitive performance and depression symptoms of Chinese older adults followed over 4 years in their transition to retirement. Using the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) data, a sample of 1,297 Chinese seniors transitioning to retirement were followed between 2011 and 2013, and then 2 years later (in 2015) after retirement. Group-based social engagement was used to predict retiree cognitive performance and depression symptoms across time. After controlling for established demographic covariates and close relationship factors at baseline, social group engagement at baseline positively predicted overall cognitive performance and depression symptoms. Moreover, positive change in group engagement was associated with reduced decline in cognitive performance over the 4-year retirement transition period. The current findings demonstrate the generalizability of the health benefits of social group engagement to cognitive health and to a non-Western (Chinese) sample of retirees.

Adjustment to retirement: effects of resource change on physical and psychological well-being.

A 1-year longitudinal study was conducted to examine the effects of retirement resources on the physical and psychological well-being of Hong Kong Chinese retirees during the transition to retirement. This study consisted of two assessments: Time 1 was conducted 6 months before retirement, while Time 2 was implemented 6 months after retirement. Personal resources and physical and psychological well-being were measured in the two assessments. The final sample contained 128 retirees who completed both assessments. Compared with Time 1, the retirees reported fewer financial resources at Time 2. Change in cognitive resources was significantly predictive of the changes in physical functioning, life satisfaction, psychological well-being, and psychological distress during the transition period. The findings of this longitudinal study reveal that in addition to financial, physical, and social resources that have often been emphasized in the past literature, mental resources also play an important role in positive adjustment to retirement. Future retirement planning programs are recommended to include modules for strengthening cognitive, emotional, and motivational resources of retired persons.

Planning for Retirement: Longitudinal Effect on Retirement Resources and Post-retirement Well-being.

Retirement is a major life event, and a positive adjustment to retirement is essential for maintaining physical and psychological well-being in later life. Previous research demonstrates that pre-retirement planning predicts post-retirement well-being. This study further explores the underlying mechanism between planning activities and post-retirement well-being. By applying the resource-based dynamic model (Wang et al., 2011), the present longitudinal study examines whether pre-retirement planning activities can increase the total resources of retirees, including tangible, mental and social resources, and consequently contribute to better psychological and physical well-being 1 year after actual retirement. A total of 118 Hong Kong Chinese retirees completed three assessments: Time 1 assessment was conducted 6 months before retirement, and Times 2 and 3 assessments were carried out 6 and 12 months, respectively, after retirement. Latent growth models were employed to examine changes in retirement resources and post-retirement well-being over time. Consistent with the proposition of the resource-based dynamic model, positive changes in well-being were observed in the retirees with increases in retirement resources between pre- and post-retirement phases. The results of the latent growth mediation models also support our prediction: retirees with more preparatory activities before retirement acquire greater resources at the initial stage, which contribute to positive changes in post-retirement well-being over time.

Retirees' motivational orientations and bridge employment: Testing the moderating role of gender.

Bridge employment refers to the labor force participation after people retire from career jobs. It is becoming a prevalent phenomenon for retirees transitioning from employment to complete work withdrawal. Building on existing literature on retirement transition and older adults' work motivation, the present study examined the effects of 3 motivational orientations (i.e., status striving, communion striving, and generativity striving) in relating to retirees' bridge employment participation (i.e., bridge employment status and bridge employment work hours). This study also applied the social gender role theory to examine the effect of gender in moderating the effects of motivational orientations. Data from 507 Chinese retirees in Beijing revealed that communion striving and generativity striving were positively related to bridge employment participation. Further, gender moderated the effect of status striving such that status striving was positively related to bridge employment participation for male retirees but not for female retirees. In addition, exploratory analysis was conducted to examine the effects of the same set of motivational orientations on postretirement volunteering activities. Results showed that status striving was negatively related to volunteering after retirement. The findings are discussed in terms of their theoretical implications for the bridge employment literature and practical implications for recruiting and retaining older workers.

Social Participation and Subjective Well-Being Among Retirees in China

The current study examined the predictive roles of social participation for subjective well-being among Chinese retirees. The Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale and the self-developed Social Participation Questionnaire were employed to assess subjective well-being and social participation, respectively. Social participation included four aspects: frequency of social activities, roles in social activities, working state, and participation in activities of former employing units (these activities often include all kinds of parties for festivals, meetings and recreations arranged by former employing units). Ultimately, 22,019 city retirees ranging in age from 50 to 99 (M = 69.7, SD = 8.1) completed the questionnaires. Results indicated that retirees tend to report positive subjective well-being; the effects of social participation, excluding work state, on subjective well-being were significant. That is, individuals with more frequent participation in social activities, more active roles in social activities, and more frequent participation in activities of former employing units reported higher subjective well-being, even when controlling for the roles of physical health, income, and other socio-demographic variables. Physical health and income were two robust factors in predicting subjective well-being in analysis models. The effects of other socio-demographic variables were also analyzed. The current study provides further empirical support for the role of social participation in quality of life of the elderly.