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The Associations of Income, Education and Income Inequality and Subjective Well-Being among Elderly in Hong Kong—A Multilevel Analysis

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  • Eric TC Lai

    (Jockey Club Institute of Ageing, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China)

  • Ruby Yu

    (Jockey Club Institute of Ageing, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China)

  • Jean Woo

    (Jockey Club Institute of Ageing, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China)

Abstract

Background: Higher income and education and lower income inequality in a neighbourhood have been shown to be related to better mental health outcome in developed countries. However, it is not clear whether these factors would affect the subjective well-being of the elderly, especially in a setting with recent rapid economic development. Methods: This study was conducted in 80 community centres with a total of 7552 community-dwelling elderly (mean age 75.9 years (SD = 7.79), 79% female) in Hong Kong. Income at individual level was measured as perceived disposable income. Education level was also collected. At district level, income was measured by district median household income and education was measured as the proportion of the population with no formal schooling. Income inequality was quantified using Gini coefficients. Low subjective well-being was defined as any one or a combination of the following: not satisfied with life, no meaning of life and being unhappy (Likert scale ≤ 2). Multilevel logistic regression was used to assess the association of income, education and income inequality and low subjective well-being. Results: We found that 15.3% (95% confidence interval (CI): 14.5 to 16.1) of the elderly have low subjective well-being. Compared with elderly who reported a very adequate disposable income, those who reported a very inadequate disposable income are at increased risk of low subjective well-being (OR=5.08, 95%CI: 2.44 to 10.59). Compared with elderly with tertiary education, those with no formal schooling were at higher risk (OR=1.60, 95%CI 1.22 to 2.09). Income inequality was not related to subjective well-being. Conclusions : Elderly with inadequate disposable income and lower education level are more likely to suffer from low subjective well-being. At the neighbourhood level, income inequality was not related to subjective well-being. However, the relationships between neighbourhood income and education level and individuals’ subjective well-being are not clear.

Suggested Citation

  • Eric TC Lai & Ruby Yu & Jean Woo, 2020. "The Associations of Income, Education and Income Inequality and Subjective Well-Being among Elderly in Hong Kong—A Multilevel Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-14, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:4:p:1271-:d:321459
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    1. Wong, Irene O.L. & Cowling, Benjamin J. & Lo, Su-Vui & Leung, Gabriel M., 2009. "A multilevel analysis of the effects of neighbourhood income inequality on individual self-rated health in Hong Kong," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(1), pages 124-132, January.
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    2. Rogie Royce Carandang & Akira Shibanuma & Edward Asis & Dominga Carolina Chavez & Maria Teresa Tuliao & Masamine Jimba, 2020. "“Are Filipinos Aging Well?”: Determinants of Subjective Well-Being among Senior Citizens of the Community-Based ENGAGE Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-13, October.
    3. Xiaodong Chen & Zeting Lin & Ran Gao & Yijian Yang & Liping Li, 2021. "Prevalence and Associated Factors of Falls among Older Adults between Urban and Rural Areas of Shantou City, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-10, July.
    4. Wenjun Li & Haiyan Sun & Wen Xu & Wenyuan Ma & Xin Yuan & Yaling Niu & Changgui Kou, 2021. "Individual Social Capital and Life Satisfaction among Mainland Chinese Adults: Based on the 2016 China Family Panel Studies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-14, January.
    5. Shiyu Yan & Jiao Wang & Zhineng Hu, 2023. "Assessment of the effects of targeted poverty alleviation policy on differently poverty‐stricken households: A multi‐propensity score weighting model," Review of Development Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 27(3), pages 1792-1833, August.
    6. Jiawen Huang & Yitong Fang, 2021. "Income Inequality, Neighbourhood Social Capital and Subjective Well-Being in China: Exploration of a Moderating Effect," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-18, June.
    7. Aiko Kikkawa & Martino Pelli & Lennart O. Reiners & Douglas Rhein, 2024. "The state of well-being of older people: a comparative study across developing Asia," The Japanese Economic Review, Springer, vol. 75(4), pages 563-609, December.
    8. Hui Wang & Ning Fang & Xuefeng Li, 2025. "Exploring Differences Between Daily Activity Spaces and Access to Urban Resources in Suburban Affordable Housing Based on the Different Income Groups: A Case of Nanjing, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-17, January.

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