Correlates of life satisfaction among older people in China: An examination of two cultural variables

Abstract

This article examines the relationships between the two cultural variables of having mianzi in social interactions and Chinese cultural beliefs of adversity and life satisfaction among older people in a coastal city in mainland China. The mediating effect of having mianzi in social interactions on the relationship between Chinese cultural beliefs of adversity and life satisfaction is also examined. The study applies a non-probability sampling and adopts a face-to-face interview approach using a questionnaire composed of close-ended questions. A total of 532 valid questionnaires are obtained. Multiple regression analysis is used to test the hypotheses. Findings indicate that the two cultural variables are associated significantly with life satisfaction, while controlling for socio-demographic variables. The variable of Chinese cultural beliefs of adversity is also indirectly associated with life satisfaction through its effect on having mianzi in social interactions. Older people with higher endorsement of positive Chinese cultural beliefs of adversity and higher degree of having mianzi in social interactions tend to have higher life satisfaction. Professionals working with older people should be sensitive to cultural variables that exert impacts on older people's life satisfaction.

Associations Among Chinese Cultural Beliefs of Adversity, Income Recovery, and Psychological Status of Wenchuan Earthquake Survivors

“…The finding was also consistent with previous research (Huang & Wu, 2012;Shek, 2005;Shek et al, 2003) and thus extended the literature on Chinese cultural beliefs of adversity to Chinese disaster survivors. Perhaps with the endorsement of positive Chinese cultural beliefs of adversity, the Wenchuan earthquake survivors became more likely to accept the adversities and believed they could overcome adversities in their lives.…”

“…However, for the scale of Chinese cultural beliefs of adversity, the deletion of two negative cultural beliefs notably resulted in an increase in the Cronbach's alpha of the scale from 0.47 to 0.71 in this study, which was not observed in previous studies (Huang & Wu, 2012;Shek, 2005;Shek et al, 2003). The Wenchuan earthquake might have affected the negative beliefs of adversity among the survivors.…”

“…Research has also shown that Chinese cultural beliefs of adversity significantly influence the psychosocial adjustment of Chinese adolescents experiencing economic disadvantages (e.g., Shek, 2004Shek, , 2005Shek et al, 2003) and the life satisfaction of older Chinese people (Huang & Wu, 2012). However, to the best of the authors' knowledge, the concept of Chinese cultural beliefs of adversity was never applied in disaster research.…”

Effects of social group work with survivors of the Wenchuan earthquake in a transitional community

“…It seems that through participating in recreational activity groups, disaster survivors not only overcome psychosocial problems themselves, but also promote personal resilience and growth by broadening and strengthening their social network, engaging in social activities and enhancing self-confidence. Previous research indicates that the availability of psychosocial resources, such as social network, social support, social engagement and positive beliefs about adversity may counteract or moderate the potentially disruptive influence of adversity (Cleary & Houts 1984, Glass et al 1999, Brewin et al 2000, Yip et al 2007, Phillips 2009, Ke et al 2010, Huang & Wu 2012.…”

Analyzing Chinese older people's quality of life through their use of the internet

“…Prior research on QOL for the Chinese older people is mainly associated with variables such as family support, financial restraint, cultural beliefs, gender and geographic locations of living (urban, rural) (e.g., Huang and Wu, ). Research found that older parents who live in three generational households or with grandchildren had better psychological well‐being than those living alone (Silverstein et al ., ).…”