Self-image and intergenerational relationships as correlates of life satisfaction in Chinese older adults: will gender make a difference?

Abstract

Promoting life satisfaction in later life has long been both a policy and practice challenge. This study examined the association between older adults' self-image and life satisfaction, and that between their intergenerational relationships and life satisfaction. Given that sources of wellbeing for older men and women may vary due to socially constructed realities in early life, gender differences were also investigated in the correlates of life satisfaction. A face-to-face questionnaire survey was conducted in 2014 with a sample of 1,099 older adults aged 60 years and over from four cities in China. Findings of this study showed that older adults’ self-image and intergenerational relationships were significantly associated with their life satisfaction after controlling for certain socio-demographic characteristics, and health and self-care ability. The correlates of life satisfaction were shown to differ between older men and women. Programmes and Services should be developed for older adults to explore and identify positive aspects of themselves, to improve their relationships with their adult children, and to foster a more positive image of ageing in wider society. In addition, service providers should take gender differences in correlates of life satisfaction into account in service and intervention programme development.

Sources and directions of social support and life satisfaction among solitary Chinese older adults in Hong Kong: the mediating role of sense of loneliness

“…Therefore, the government should be prepared to strengthen formal care services to facilitate a higher quality of life for older people. In addition, consistent with previous studies that have demonstrated socioeconomic inequality in later life well-being, 5 , 57 – 59 financial security was found to be positively associated with life satisfaction in the present study. Therefore, in addition to enhancing community care services, multipillar retirement protection schemes should also be strengthened to improve the financial status of older adults by providing them with sufficient cash and in-kind support.…”

“… 4 Because factors such as impaired health, declining cognitive abilities, and diminishing social networks continually threaten the well-being of older people, improving older adults’ life satisfaction is a persistent challenge. 5 , 6 …”

The Impact of Intergenerational Relationship on Health and Well‐Being of Older Chinese Americans

“…Families are sources of affective bonds, shared responsibilities, such as caregiving, and intergenerational transfers of knowledge and wealth. Studies report positive correlations between intergenerational or familial support and subjective well‐being and mental health among older adults . For older adults, children are important sources of instrumental support, caregiving, and affective bonds .…”

To Be or Not To Be: Relationship Between Grandparent Status and Health and Wellbeing

“…Existing literature has documented several aspects of grandparenting that are conducive to the well-being of older adults taking up roles as caregivers for their grandchildren, including positive levels of physical activity and self-care (Fruhauf & Bundy-Fazioli, 2013), caregiver satisfaction (Waldrop & Weber, 2001), and improved health habits (Haglund, 2000). Researchers have found positive correlations between intergenerational or familial support and subjective well-being (Lu, Lou, Zuo, & Chi, 2017;Tian, 2016) and mental health (Bai, Guo, & Fu, 2018;Wang & Zhao, 2012) among older adults. For instance, Lai, Lee, Li, and Dong (2019) found that a stronger sense of closeness with grandchildren was associated with selfrated health status and quality of life among older Chinese immigrants in the United States.…”