Well-being In China Research Articles

Impact of filial piety on residents' subjective well-being in China considering the moderating effect of income level.

Subjective well-being (SWB) reflects an individual's subjective evaluation of overall life satisfaction and healthcare situation. As one of the most important concepts in traditional Chinese culture, filial piety refers to an ancient and significant ethical concept that originates from traditional Chinese culture. Filial piety emphasizes the respect, care, and filial devotion of children towards their parents, and has a complex influence on SWB. Moreover, in the context of rapid economic development, an individual's income level significantly moderates the influence of filial piety. Revealing the influence of different types of filial piety on SWB is of great significance for enhancing residents' SWB. However, existing studies rarely touch upon this topic. Therefore, this paper focuses on the 7 kinds of filial piety, establishes an ordered logit model based on the data from the China General Social Survey, and analyzes the influence of these 7 kinds of filial piety on SWB. On this basis, this study analyzes the moderating effect of income level. Finally, it further analyzes the regional heterogeneity of China in the influence of filial piety. Concepts such as constant respect for father's authority, enhancing parents' honor, and bearing sons for the purpose of lineage continuity, have negative impact on SWB. Superior economic conditions can neutralize and salvage these concepts to a certain extent, but they are ultimately negative. In regions with a minority population such as the 4 northeastern provinces, Inner Mongolia, Gansu, Ningxia, and Xinjiang, these concepts can increase SWB, which is restricted by the local economic level and might just be a transitional form of insufficient development. appreciating the kindness of upbringing; treating parents well under any circumstances; giving up personal ambitions to fulfill parents' wishes, positively influence individual SWB, especially when income is substantial. The research results indicate that different type of filial piety has different impacts on SWB; income level has a significant moderating effect; and there are significant regional heterogeneities in the influence of filial piety. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis and reference for enhancing residents' SWB.

Entrepreneurship and subjective wellbeing in China: Exploring linkages and potential channels

We analyse the effect of entrepreneurship on subjective wellbeing in China. To do so, we use four waves of the nationally representative China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) longitudinal survey data. Employing a suite of quasi-experimental analytical procedures, we find that being an entrepreneur increases subjective wellbeing in China. Our estimates suggest that being an entrepreneur results in a 0.46 standard deviation higher subjective wellbeing than not being an entrepreneur. This finding is robust to different quasi-experimental methods. We also find that entrepreneurship enhances subjective wellbeing more among males and rural residents. Results on mediation analysis suggests that social and economic status are important channels through which entrepreneurship influences subjective wellbeing.

Household health expenditure does not improve people's subjective well-being in China.

Household health expenditure plays a crucial role in the daily spending of individuals. Meanwhile, the attention of the public to subjective well-being (SWB) is constantly increasing in China. Household health expenditure could reduce real family income, harming personal SWB. However, the aim of household health expenditure is to improve the physical condition of an individual, and improvements in individual health could enhance personal SWB. Therefore, the effect of household health expenditure on personal SWB is uncertain; hence, it is essential to assess the effects of household health expenditure on the SWB of Chinese residents. The Chinese family panel studies database from 2016 to 2020 was applied in this study. A fixed effects model was used to examine the impact of household medical and health protection expenses on personal SWB. Fixed effects instrumental variable regression and propensity score matching were then used to conduct robustness testing. On the basis of a fixed effects model, it was found that household medical and health protection expenditure did not improve the happiness and life satisfaction of individuals; rather, household health protection expenditure could significantly reduce personal happiness. Fixed effects instrumental variable regression and propensity score matching analysis supported these results. Household health protection expenditure had a greater negative impact on the happiness and life satisfaction of females compared with males. Household health expenditure does not improve the SWB of individuals in China; this has certain significance for the formulation of relevant policies.

Household debt and children’s psychological well-being in China: The mediating role of parent–child relations

BackgroundHousehold debt is a psychological stressor for those who take the debt on, but it remains unclear whether and how this money-related stressor influences children’s psychological well-being. AimsThe study investigated the association of household debt with children’s psychological well-being and further explored the mediating role of parent–child relations. MethodsData were obtained from two waves (2016 and 2018) of the China Family Panel Studies, with a sample of 1,828 children included. The Center for Epidemiological Studies of Depression Scale was applied to measure psychological well-being. Household debt was assessed by absolute and relative amounts of total debt, mortgage debt, and non-mortgage debt. We used positive and negative parent–child interaction to measure parent–child relations. The characteristics of children, parents, and households were included as covariates. ResultsHousehold debt, especially mortgage debt, was positively associated with psychological illnesses among children, and the link was substantially explained by parent–child relations. ConclusionHousehold debt exerted detrimental effects on children’s psychological well-being by jeopardizing parent–child relations in China. Strategies that address the need of vulnerable children are required to reduce the potentially negative psychological well-being outcomes of household debt.

Parental Warmth and Children’s Subjective Well-Being in China: the Indirect Effect of Parent–Child Relationship

Parental Warmth and Children’s Subjective Well-Being in China: the Indirect Effect of Parent–Child Relationship

Impact of informal caregiving on caregivers’ subjective well-being in China: a longitudinal study

BackgroundWhile informal caregiving is crucial for improving and maintaining health of the elderly, there is limited evidence of its potential effect on caregivers’ wellbeing. Understanding this effect is important for policy makers to design effective long-term care policies. This longitudinal study aims to investigate the impact of informal caregiving on caregivers’ subjective wellbeing in China.MethodsThree waves (2016, 2018, 2020) of data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) are constructed for empirical analysis. Ordered logit model is first used to estimate the effect. Fixed effects ordered logit model and mixed effects ordered logit model are further employed to control for the possible bias from unobserved individual heterogeneity.ResultsInformal caregiving significantly reduces caregivers’ subjective wellbeing and the negative effect is stronger for high-frequency caregivers. Subgroup analysis reveals that informal caregiving imposed greater negative impacts on women, those living in rural areas, being married, working, and living separately from parents. Further analysis of mechanism indicates that decrease in wage income, leisure and sleep time were channels through which informal caregiving affects caregivers’ well-being.ConclusionWhen policy makers formulate sustainable long-term care policies and home support services, interventions to improve caregivers’ stress-coping skills and ensure their engagement in leisure and social activities could be adopted to mitigate the negative effects on caregivers’ subjective well-being.

Energy affordability and subjective well-being in China: Causal inference, heterogeneity, and the mediating role of disaster risk

This paper examines how energy affordability affects the subjective happiness of Chinese households in the face of an extreme event that could affect the energy industry. We use two waves of nationally representative survey data to examine the variation in subjective happiness with the level of energy affordability. The results suggest that worsening energy affordability reduces household happiness. We also present robust evidence that energy affordability is also associated with where energy is sourced. We further show that this nexus is heterogeneous in that Eastern China households sense energy affordability as the key determinant of happiness. The perceived risk of extreme events moderates a household's subjective well-being when considering energy affordability. Our results call for a targeted approach to re-allocate economic benefits for alleviating energy poverty.

Satisfaction with community public services, social support, and subjective well-being in China

Satisfaction with community public services reflects the quality of public services in communities, which is important for residentsâ–™ well-being. We collected data in China through a survey, and regression analyses were used to test our hypotheses. Results from 1,112 residents show that satisfaction with community public services is positively related to subjective well-being, and social support h as a mediating effect on the relationship between satisfaction With community public services and subjective well-being. Findings of this study provide a culture-specific and geographical perspective of community public services and subjective well-being, and highlight the importance of wellbeing in community studies.

Social Capital and Mental Wellbeing of Older People Migrating along with Adult Children in Shenzhen, China.

The phenomenon of 'older people migrating along' (OPMA) with adult children is a unique outcome of social changes that have occurred in China. These individuals generally experience different challenges and needs associated with mental wellbeing. However, there is limited research on the relationship between the social capital and mental health of OPMA in China. This study aims to examine the mental health status of OPMA and the effects of bonding social capital and bridging social capital on their mental wellbeing in China by conducting a quantitative research survey among 399 OPMA participants. We found that bonding social capital correlated to only one indicator of mental wellbeing, subjective happiness. Bridging social capital had significant relationships with four mental health indicators, namely, the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), subjective happiness, and life satisfaction. Through strengthening bridging social capital, these older adults can benefit from more opportunities for participation in formal or informal organizations in their communities and improve their mental wellbeing.

Development and validity of a mentally-passive and mentally-active sedentary time questionnaire in nursing college students.

This study aimed to develop and validate a questionnaire to evaluate nursing college students' mentally-passive and mentally-active sedentary time (M-PAST) in China. An initial M-PAST questionnaire with mentally-passive and mentally-active sedentary behaviors was developed with content validity undertaken through a consensus panel and pilot test where a convenience sample of six nursing students was recruited to assess the relevance, comprehensiveness, and comprehensibility of the refined questionnaire after expert panelists' responses. A cross-sectional online survey using a self-reported questionnaire was distributed to nursing students by email and then conducted using exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to assess the construct validity of the M-PAST questionnaire and factor structures. Finally, the criterion validity was examined by exploring the associations between the M-PAST and the IPAQ sitting time, psychological distress, and insomnia. Eight items regarding learning and leisure were included in the final version of the M-PAST questionnaire. A group of 650 nursing college students in China completed the study. Principal component analysis revealed two factors (i.e., mentally-passive and mentally-active sedentary behaviors), which explained 41.98% of the variance contributing to the questionnaire. The CFA reached the adaptive standard. Cronbach's α ranged from 0.730 to 0.742. The correlations between M-PAST and IPAQ total sitting time were significant (p < 0.01, r = 0.125-0.396). Mentally-passive sedentary time was associated with psychological distress and insomnia (p < 0.01, r = 0.078-0.163), while no significant associations were found in mentally-active sedentary behaviors. The M-PAST questionnaire appears to be a reliable and valid tool that reported both mentally-passive and mentally-active sedentary behaviors in nursing college students in China. However, future studies may need to further examine its validity among international nursing college students. This study further confirmed that mentally-passive sedentary behavior was positively associated with psychological distress and insomnia. Effective strategies are needed to reduce nursing college students' mentally-passive sedentary time to improve their health and wellbeing in China.

The impact of wealth loss on household economic well-being in China—the case of over-quota birth fines

ABSTRACT This paper investigates the impact of wealth loss induced by over-quota birth fines on household economic well-being in China. We find that household labour supply adjusts to fertility fines primarily via the extensive margin of maternal labour supply, which is followed by higher savings rates and more remittances sent home. Fertility fines have no effects on non-food consumption; however, they significantly decrease food consumption. We propose two instrumental variables and placebo tests as identification strategies, all of which yield consistent results. Our study deepens the understanding of how households respond to over-quota birth fines and sheds light on responses to negative wealth shocks.

Social Quality and Residents’ Subjective Well-Being in China—An Empirical Analysis Based on CSS2021 Data

Happiness is the eternal pursuit of human beings, and subjective well-being is an essential indicator for evaluating happiness. Research on subjective well-being mainly focuses on material, economic, and psychological factors, and there is insufficient research on the impact of social factors on subjective well-being. Focusing on the influence of social factors on subjective well-being can help us better understand the “Easterlin Paradox”. Based on the theoretical model of social quality, this paper analyzes the influence of the current Chinese social quality on Chinese people’s subjective well-being using the data from the China Social Survey 2021 (CSS2021). It is found that the higher the social quality, the stronger the people’s subjective well-being, and this conclusion is stable for different groups. By dimension, socio-economic security, social cohesion, and social inclusion significantly affect people’s subjective well-being, but social empowerment does not significantly affect subjective well-being. This paper provides new evidence to explore the impact of social quality on people’s well-being.

Does targeted poverty alleviation policy lead to happy life? Evidence from rural China

Based on 2013–2019 data from the China Household Finance Survey, we used the difference-in-differences method to systematically and quantitatively analyze the relationship between a targeted poverty alleviation policy and the rural poor's subjective well-being in China. The results showed that the targeted poverty alleviation policy has a spillover effect of improving rural poor households' happiness. Mechanism analysis found that the increment of both material and non-material welfare dimensions, as well as the building of positive attitudes during the process of policy implementation improve the rural poor's happiness status. Heterogeneity analysis shows that “hematopoietic” poverty alleviation policies have significant effects on the subjective well-being of all poor households, while “blood transfusion” policies have more significant effects on the subjective well-being of poverty caused by illness and old age.

The Interplay of Migrant Workers’ Working Hours, Income, and Well-Being in China

There is a history of overwork in China, and regulations to protect workers are insufficient. This study explores the relationship between working long hours and self-rated health among rural-urban migrant workers in China. Survey data from the 2018 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) is used to construct a simultaneous equation model, and the 3SLS method is applied. The results showed that: (1) Migrant workers had good health. However, overtime work is very common among migrant workers in China, and male migrants work more overtime. (2) Migrant laborers’ health and income are causally related, with better health leading to higher income. In contrast, the compensatory effect of income by extending working hours on health is smaller than the damage caused by overtime work for the male migrants who have more severe overtime work, resulting in a negative income effect on health. (3) The incentive effect of income on labor supply and the positive interaction effect of increasing labor hours to increase income are only reflected in the standard labor time sample. Therefore, for the heavy overwork group whose working hours have already reached the limit, income increases can no longer motivate them to extend their labor hours. Therefore, provincial and national policy transformations are needed to regularize working hours and remuneration while maintaining individual health.

The Relationship Between Deaf Adolescents’ Empathy and Subjective Well-Being in China During COVID-19 Pandemic: The Inconsistent Role of Peer Support and Teacher Support

The Relationship Between Deaf Adolescents’ Empathy and Subjective Well-Being in China During COVID-19 Pandemic: The Inconsistent Role of Peer Support and Teacher Support

LGBQ affirmative practice and psychological well-being in China.

Research has consistently shown the importance of affirmative practice when therapists work with lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer/questioning (LGBQ) clients. However, less is known about factors that may influence the extent to which clients benefit from affirmative practice. The present study intends to address this gap by examining whether LGBQ affirmative practice would be positively associated with psychological well-being, and whether individuals factors including internalized homophobia (IH), reciprocal filial piety (RFP; providing care and support for parents based on affective bonding), and authoritarian filial piety (AFP; showing unconditional obedience to parents based on parental authority) would moderate this relationship. A total of 128 Chinese LGBQ clients (50% male, 38.3% female, and 11.7% nonbinary/gender queer; age: M = 25.26 years, SD = 5.46) from 21 provinces and regions completed the online survey. Results revealed that LGBQ affirmative practice was positively associated with psychological well-being after controlling for LGBQ clients' pretherapy distress and therapists' credibility. Such association was greater for LGBQ clients who had higher levels of IH and AFP, whereas such effect did not vary with RFP. This study provides preliminary empirical evidence for the effectiveness of LGBQ affirmative practice in psychological health among Chinese LGBQ clients. Moreover, LGBQ affirmative practice might be more helpful for LGBQ clients with higher IH and AFP. These findings implicate that Chinese counselors and therapists should engage in LGBQ affirmative practice when they work with LGBQ clients, especially for those who have high levels of IH and AFP. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

IMPACTS OF CONSUMER EXPENDITURE PATTERNS ON SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING IN CHINA: EVIDENCE FROM MICROSURVEY DATA

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of consumer expenditure patterns, rather than categories, on subjective well-being (SWB) in China. This study adopts microsurvey data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) and performs cluster analysis to form household consumer expenditure patterns for five burdens. The primary finding is that consumer expenditure patterns as well as consumer characteristics can significantly affect Chinese people’s SWB. However, the results from using consumer expenditure categories as explanatory variables are not reliable due to inconsistent results from using the amount and ratio of consumption expenditure. The conclusions regarding the influences of consumer expenditure patterns on Chinese people’s SWB are, nevertheless, robust.

Tackling energy poverty through trade activities: Analyzing social well-being in China

Energy requirements for household and commercial uses have been extended significantly during China’s recent economic development and transition process. Despite enormous achievements in export volume and diversity, domestic quality of life is still obstructed by energy poverty in the presence of economic and trade policy uncertainties. We explore the impact of economic complexity (EC) and financial globalization (FG) on energy poverty (EP) in China, considering trade (TPU) and economic policy uncertainties (EPU). For this purpose, we use quarterly data from 2000Q1 to 2020Q4 and employ a novel econometric technique of Rolling Window Correlations that deals efficiently with model instability and provides consistent correlations over time. We find asymmetries in the connections over time, which keep evolving dynamically. Economic complexity and financial globalization can increase energy poverty at various time scales if not assisted by appropriate trade policies. We observe significant impacts of the trade and economic policy uncertainties on energy poverty in China. The findings are robust to using an alternative proxy for energy poverty. The government should formulate sound trade policies and ensure certainty in its communications to assist economic activities in a manner not detrimental to energy poverty. As China is going through a transition stage in energy and economic perspectives, amplifying the energy mix, enhancing energy efficiency, and aligning economic policies with energy goals is necessary.

Urban and individual correlates of subjective well-being in China: An application of gradient boosting decision trees.

Subjective well-being (SWB) is attributable to both individual and environmental attributes. However, extant studies have paid little attention to the contribution of environmental attributes at the urban level to SWB or their nonlinear associations with SWB. This study applies a machine learning approach called gradient boosting decision trees (GBDTs) to the 2013 China Household Income Survey data to investigate the relative importance of urban and individual attributes to and their nonlinear associations with SWB. The urban and individual attributes make similar relative contributions to SWB. Income and age are the most important predictors. Urban facilities make a larger contribution than urban development factors. Moreover, urban attributes exert nonlinear and threshold effects on SWB. Cultural facilities and green space have inverted U-shaped correlations with SWB. Educational facilities, medical facilities, and population size are monotonically associated with SWB and have specific thresholds. Improving urban attributes is important to enhancing residents' SWB.

The role of digitalization, sustainable environment, natural resources and political globalization towards economic well-being in China, Japan and South Korea

Under the background of technological revolutions, counter-globalization and industrial changes, exploring the economic growth model has become an important issue. Hence, the short and long-run impact of digitalization, sustainable environment, natural resources, and political globalization on economic growth by applying the Autoregressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) along with Nonlinear Autoregressive Distributive Lag (NARDL) co-integration approach in the context of three Asian countries for period 1990–2019. In the short term, the increasing level of political globalization (PG) will hinder the creation of economic well-being; sustainable environment (SE) has a positive impact on economic well-being at both high and low levels; and the reduction of natural resources (NR) will contribute to the growth of economic well-being. In the long run, influenced by the uneven distribution of technical facilities and rent-seeking behaviors, digitalization (DL) may lead to the decline of economic well-being; influenced by the problem of environmental dependence, economic well-being may increase in the low level of SE; with the establishment of international consultation mechanism, the improvement of PG promotes the generation of economic well-being; both the blessing and the curse of NS may befall the production of future economic well-being. Based on these findings, study provides some potential policy to increase economic well-being in China, Japan and South Korea.