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Family Support, Multidimensional Health, and Living Satisfaction among the Elderly: A Case from Shaanxi Province, China

Author

Listed:
  • Lijian Wang

    (School of Public Policy and Administration, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China)

  • Liu Yang

    (School of Public Policy and Administration, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China)

  • Xiaodong Di

    (School of Public Policy and Administration, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China)

  • Xiuliang Dai

    (School of Public Policy and Administration, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China)

Abstract

The current study investigated the association between three types of family support and living satisfaction of elderly individuals in China, and paid particular attention to the possible mediating role of the elderly population’s multidimensional health. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2019, and 938 elderly people from seven counties (districts) of China’s Shaanxi province were enrolled. Multivariable linear regression and mediation effect analysis were employed to examine the integrated relationships among these variables. The results showed that emotional support and decisional support from families were positively related to the living satisfaction of elderly individuals (β = 0.101, p = 0.000; β = 0.263, p = 0.000), while the relationship between daily living support and living satisfaction was not significant (β = 0.017, p > 0.05). The mediation examination further demonstrated that both mental state and social integration mediated the association between emotional support and living satisfaction, as well as the association between decisional support and living satisfaction, but a mediating effect of physical health was not observed. These results indicate the pathways in the relationships of different types of family support to living satisfaction via mental state and social integration, having significant implications for enhancing the living satisfaction the elderly.

Suggested Citation

  • Lijian Wang & Liu Yang & Xiaodong Di & Xiuliang Dai, 2020. "Family Support, Multidimensional Health, and Living Satisfaction among the Elderly: A Case from Shaanxi Province, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-18, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:22:p:8434-:d:445001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Dan Zhu & Haichao Xu & Yuan Yao, 2022. "The Wellbeing of Chinese Migrating Grandparents Supporting Adult Children: Negotiating in Home-Making Practices," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-16, August.

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