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Do social networks improve Chinese adults’ subjective well-being?

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  • Lei, Xiaoyan
  • Shen, Yan
  • Smith, James P.
  • Zhou, Guangsu

Abstract

This paper studies relationships between social networks, health and subjective well-being (SWB) using nationally representative data of the Chinese Population—the Chinese Family Panel Studies (CFPS). Our data contain SWB indicators in two widely used variants—happiness and life-satisfaction. Social network variables used include kinship relationships measured by marital status, family size, and having a genealogy; ties with friends/relatives/neighbors measured by holiday visitation, frequency of contacts, and whether and value of gifts given and received; total number and time spent in social activities, and engagement in organizations including the communist party, religious groups, and other types.

Suggested Citation

  • Lei, Xiaoyan & Shen, Yan & Smith, James P. & Zhou, Guangsu, 2015. "Do social networks improve Chinese adults’ subjective well-being?," The Journal of the Economics of Ageing, Elsevier, vol. 6(C), pages 57-67.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:joecag:v:6:y:2015:i:c:p:57-67
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jeoa.2015.07.001
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    2. Xiaoyan Lei & Yan Shen & James P. Smith & Guangsu Zhou, 2018. "Life satisfaction in China and consumption and income inequalities," Review of Economics of the Household, Springer, vol. 16(1), pages 75-95, March.
    3. Nie, Peng & Li, Qiaoge & Sousa-Poza, Alfonso, 2021. "Energy poverty and subjective well-being in China: New evidence from the China Family Panel Studies," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    4. Aguila, Emma & Smith, James P., 2020. "Supplemental income program design: A cluster-randomized controlled trial to examine the health and wellbeing effects on older adults by gender, duration, and payment frequency," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    5. Peng Nie & Wanglin Ma & Alfonso Sousa-Poza, 2021. "The relationship between smartphone use and subjective well-being in rural China," Electronic Commerce Research, Springer, vol. 21(4), pages 983-1009, December.
    6. Hong Shi & Hanfang Zhao & Zheng Ren & Minfu He & Yuyu Li & Yajiao Pu & Xiangrong Li & Shixun Wang & Li Cui & Jieyu Zhao & Hongjian Liu & Xiumin Zhang, 2022. "Factors Associated with Subjective Well-Being of Chinese Adolescents Aged 10–15: Based on China Family Panel Studies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-15, June.
    7. Wang, Wei & Liang, Qiaozhuan & Mahto, Raj V. & Deng, Wei & Zhang, Stephen X., 2020. "Entrepreneurial entry: The role of social media," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    8. Bansak, Cynthia & Dziadula, Eva & Wang, Sophie Xuefei, 2024. "How China's "Later, Longer, Fewer" Campaign Extends Life Expectancy: A Study of Intergenerational Support for Elderly Parents," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1403, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    9. ICHIMURA Hidehiko & Xiaoyan LEI & Chulhee LEE & Jinkook LEE & Albert PARK & SAWADA Yasuyuki, 2017. "Wellbeing of the Elderly in East Asia: China, Korea, and Japan," Discussion papers 17029, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    10. Yi Chen & Rong Huang & Yuanping Lu & Kangyi Zhang, 2021. "Education Fever in China: Children’s Academic Performance and Parents’ Life Satisfaction," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 927-954, February.
    11. Jiafeng Gu, 2024. "Neighborhood Does Matter: Farmers’ Local Social Interactions and Land Rental Behaviors in China," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-17, January.
    12. Vanessa Sha Fan & Renuka Mahadevan, 2019. "The Role of Social Capital and Remote Chinese Villagers’ Well-Being," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 143(3), pages 1109-1128, June.
    13. Yingying Zhang & Steve Bradley & Robert Crouchley, 2023. "Gender Differences in the Effect of Retirement Duration on Cognitive Functioning," Working Papers 379420912, Lancaster University Management School, Economics Department.
    14. Aistov, Andrey, 2019. "Happy together: A regression discontinuity approach," Applied Econometrics, Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), vol. 53, pages 73-99.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Health; Subjective well-being;

    JEL classification:

    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General
    • O53 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Asia including Middle East

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