Reciprocal Dynamics of Solo-Living and Health Among Older Adults in Contemporary China

• Published in: The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences Vol. 74; no. 8; p. 1441
• Main Authors: Gu, Danan, Feng, Qiushi, Yeung, Wei-Jun Jean
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 04.10.2019
• Subjects: Well-being; Health; China; Generalized structural equation modeling; Solo-living
• ISSN: 1758-5368
• DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gby140

Solo-living has far-reaching implications for older adults' well-being. The causal impacts and the pathways of solo-living on health and well-being of older adults are still unclear. This study examines the correlates of solo-living and subsequent health outcomes of solo-living among older adults in mainland China. We draw data from four waves of a nationwide survey with a total of 9,714 older adults aged 65 or older who had at least three interviews in 2005-2014. A generalized structural equation modeling approach was applied to examine what factors are associated with solo-living status and whether and how the antecedent of solo-living status subsequently affects well-being and health. Owning a home, having no living child, and a preference to live independently are positively correlated with living alone, whereas living in a city, having economic independence, being educated, and having poor physical and cognitive functions are associated with lower odds of solo-living. Older Chinese adults who live alone are more likely to feel lonely and have a lower life satisfaction, yet they are more likely to be involved in social/leisure activities, and have fewer physical disabilities and a lower mortality risk. There is a bi-directional relationship between solo-living and well-being/health among the Chinese older adults. Solo-living is a conditioned choice of a set of critical factors among older Chinese. The greater involvement in social/leisure activities is likely a key for Chinese solo-living older adults to mitigate the negative impact of their lower psychological well-being on subsequent mortality.