Social Participation and Life Satisfaction Among Widowed Older Adults in China

Abstract

Aim: Little is known about how widowed older adults in China adjust during widowhood. This paper examines the relationship between their changes in social participation following spousal loss and their reported life satisfaction. Methods:Using two-wave (2000 and 2006) national representative data from China, we regressed measures of widowhood status, changes of social participation, health function, financial strain as well as living arrangement on life satisfaction after adjusting for baseline life satisfaction and other sociodemographic variables.Results: Increased social participation was related to higher levels of life satisfaction. This study did not find evidence that individuals who experienced widowhood would benefit more compared to those remained married from increasing social participation after spousal loss. Conclusions:Social participation is one way older adults can potentially improve life satisfaction. In addition to focusing on family support during widowhood, practitioners could consider developing appropriate social activities to engage older adults with particular consideration of those remained widowed for long.

Psychological outcomes of life story work for community‐dwelling seniors: A randomised controlled trial

“…For older people, participation in social activities is positively related to life satisfaction (Li, Xu, Min, Chi, & Xi, 2016;Ponce, Rosas, & Lorca, 2014 Bowling and Iliffe (2011) found associations between greater social activity and better physical and psychological outcomes. Therefore, it may be that any kind of social activity would be beneficial for older people in the community.…”

“…For older people, participation in social activities is positively related to life satisfaction (Li, Xu, Min, Chi, & Xi, ; Ponce, Rosas, & Lorca, ). The slightly improved psychological outcomes of those in our sample might have been due to the social activity component of both our intervention and control conditions.…”

Moderating effect of emotional support on the relationship between disability and life satisfaction in older adults

“…A study reported that older persons with frequent participation in social activities report higher subjective well‐being, even after controlling for physical health, income and other sociodemographic variables . Furthermore, a recent longitudinal study also concluded that increased social participation is associated with higher levels of life satisfaction among widowed older adults . Third, the cost of care for disabled older adults is often expensive, especially for older adults with multimorbidity.…”

“…28 Furthermore, a recent longitudinal study also concluded that increased social participation is associated with higher levels of life satisfaction among widowed older adults. 29 Third, the cost of care for disabled older adults is often expensive, especially for older adults with multimorbidity. They are required to spend their old age savings or are dependent on their children to pay for the medical expenses.…”

Social Participation among the Elderly: Moderated Mediation Model of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

“…This social isolation means the elderly are less likely to participate less in social activities (Ferraro, 1984). Social participation represents an essential requirement for people of all age groups; however, the elderly need it even more since it may substantially improve their wellbeing (Takagi, Kondo, & Kawachi, 2013;Chen & Chen, 2012;Li, Xu, Min, Chi, & Xi, 2016). In this paper, we define wellbeing as people's positively evaluating their lives such that they feel positive emotions, fulfilled, and satisfied with life (Diener & Biswas-Diener, 2005).…”