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The Impact of Informal Social Support on Older Health: Evidence from China

Author

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  • Daisheng Tang

    (School of Economics and Management, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China)

  • Xinyuan Wang

    (School of Economics and Management, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China)

  • Yahong Liu

    (School of Economics and Management, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China)

  • Tao Bu

    (School of Economics and Management, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100044, China)

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the impact of informal social support (ISS) on older health. Methods: Multiple regression was used as the baseline regression, grouping regression was used to examine whether there were health effect differences among groups based on age and household registration, and insurance was selected to explore moderating effects of formal social support (FSS). Results: First, economic support, accompanied support, and number of intimate contacts had significantly positive effects on older health except for care support’s negative effects. Second, ISS had different health effects for different groups based on age and household registration. Third, FSS was a significant moderating for ISS. Conclusions: The government should emphasize and strengthen the supplementary role of ISS to FSS and promote the effective combination of the two, especially for the older who are high-age and rural, and further improve the role of care support.

Suggested Citation

  • Daisheng Tang & Xinyuan Wang & Yahong Liu & Tao Bu, 2022. "The Impact of Informal Social Support on Older Health: Evidence from China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-14, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:4:p:2444-:d:753950
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hexian Li & Mingli Pang & Jieru Wang & Jing Xu & Fanlei Kong, 2022. "Effects of Health Service Utilization and Informal Social Support on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress among the Internal Migrant Elderly following Children in Weifang, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-18, November.
    2. Ningning Liu & Yujing He & Zhirong Li, 2022. "The Relationship between Internet Use and Self-Rated Health among Older Adults in China: The Mediating Role of Social Support," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-16, November.

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