Social Support and Elderly People’s Happiness in China: Evidence from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.62517/jse.202411306

Author(s)

Li Xu*, Chunyu Mao, Kaiqiang Cheng

Affiliation(s)

School of Finance and Economics, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi, China *Corresponding Author.

Abstract

To investigates the direct effect and indirect effect of three different types of social support on elderly people’s happiness, and to provide some suggestions for improvement. This descriptive and analytical study was carried out on 8,082 elderly who come from the CLHLS in 2018 dataset. Moreover, we conducted data analysis in 2 steps using multiple linear regression. The empirical results indicate that three dimensions of social support have a significantly positive effect on elderly people’s happiness. Furthermore, the indirect effect of family support and community support on elderly people’s happiness via the mental health is positive, while the indirect effect of relevant sector support on elderly people’s happiness via the mental health is not significant. Simultaneously, the indirect effect of social support on elderly people’s happiness via the physical health is also not significant. Social support has a considerable positive impact on happiness among elders. Thus, we suggested that an all-round, multi-level social support system should be developed to improve elderly people’s happiness.

Keywords

Elderly People’s Happiness; Social Support; Mediating Effects; Mental Health

References

[1] Park J, Roh S, Yeo Y. Religiosity, social support, and life satisfaction among elderly Korean immigrants. The Gerontologist, 2012, 52(5): 641-649. [2] Cobb, S. Social support as a moderator of life stress. Psychosomatic Medicine, 1976,38, 300–314. [3] Sarason I G, Sarason B R. Social support: Mapping the construct. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 2009, 26(1): 113-120. [4] Lin, N., Ye, X., & Ensel, W. M.  Social Support and Depressed Mood: A Structural Analysis. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 1999,40(4), 344. [5] Langford C P H, Bowsher J, Maloney J P, et al. Social support: a conceptual analysis. Journal of advanced nursing, 1997, 25(1): 95-100. [6] Mathieu M, Eschleman K J, Cheng D. Meta-analytic and multiwave comparison of emotional support and instrumental support in the workplace. Journal of occupational health psychology, 2019, 24(3): 387. [7] Malecki C K, Demaray M K. What type of support do they need? Investigating student adjustment as related to emotional, informational, appraisal, and instrumental support. School psychology quarterly, 2003, 18(3): 231-252. [8] Hao X N, BO T. Analysis on social network and community service for the aging population: A research based on sample survey data in Beijing. Chinese Journal of Health Policy. 2012,5(02):17-23. [9] Tao Y C, Shen Y. The influence of social support on the physical and mental health of the rural elderly. Population & Economics.2014, (03):3-14. [10] Van den Berg B, Brouwer W B F, Koopmanschap M A. Economic valuation of informal care. The European Journal of Health Economics, formerly: HEPAC, 2004, 5(1): 36-45. [11] Montpetit M A, Nelson N A, Tiberio S S. Daily interactions and affect in older adulthood: Family, friends, and perceived support. Journal of Happiness studies, 2017, 18(2): 373-388. [12] Kawamoto R, Yamada A, Okayama M, et al. Happiness and background factors in community-dwelling older persons. Nihon Ronen Igakkai zasshi. Japanese journal of geriatrics, 1999, 36(12): 861-867. [13] Westaway M S, Olorunju S A S, Rai L C J. Which personal quality of life domains affect the happiness of older South Africans? Quality of Life Research, 2007, 16(8): 1425-1438. [14] Moeini B, Barati M, Farhadian M, et al. The association between social support and happiness among elderly in Iran. Korean journal of family medicine, 2018, 39(4): 260. [15] Steptoe A. Happiness and health. Annual review of public health, 2019, 40: 339-359. [16] Graham C. Happiness and health: Lessons—and questions—for public policy. Health affairs, 2008, 27(1): 72-87. [17] Ohrnberger J, Fichera E, Sutton M. The relationship between physical and mental health: A mediation analysis. Social science & medicine, 2017, 195: 42-49.