Living arrangement preferences and realities for elderly Chinese: implications for subjective wellbeing

Abstract

This article investigates the determinants of preference for intergenerational co-residence and examines the effects of living arrangement concordance (i.e.having a match between preference and reality) on the subjective wellbeing (SWB) of older Chinese. Data were derived from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) national baseline conducted in 2011. This allows for two different measures of the affective approach to SWB: depression and happiness. This article found living arrangement preference is indicative of need, cultural norms and current living arrangement experiences. The results support the hypothesis of discrepancy theories that having living arrangement concordance improves older parents’ SWB (i.e.depressive symptoms and happiness). In addition, the previously predictive effects of the actual living arrangement on SWB lost significance when actual living arrangement and concordance were added simultaneously. Living in a preferred arrangement appears to be more important than living in a traditional arrangement from the point of view of older adults’ SWB. Programmes designed to improve wellbeing in later life should not assume that there is a one-size-fits-all model for all; instead, older people should be given more choices of living arrangements.

Measuring character strengths as possible protective factors against suicidal ideation in older Chinese adults: a cross-sectional study

“…The intergenerational co-residence and taking care of parents remain an important obligation of children. These actions are also signs of respect and social support for the older generation, which may directly protect the mental health and wellbeing of older Chinese parents [82][83][84][85]. Therefore, our participants may rate lower scores on certain items of BIT (e.g., I feel a sense of belonging in my community; There are people who appreciate me as a person), which reduce the internal consistency of BIT.…”

Four-year trajectories of episodic memory decline in mid-late life by living arrangements: a cross-national comparison between China and England

“…The rapid socioeconomic transition in China has changed older people's family arrangements voluntarily or involuntarily. For instance, some older adults may prefer not to live in a multigenerational setting as they increasingly value their own privacy and prefer to avoid intergenerational conflicts; 13 whereas others may be forced into living in an 'empty nest' as their children migrate for marriage and work. 14 In addition, the abovementioned meta-analysis 5 and the Lancet Commission report 4 heavily relied on studies conducted in Western countries.…”

Who We Live With and How We Are Feeling: A Study of Household Living Arrangements and Subjective Well-Being Among Older Adults in China

“…Our results, however, indicate that living in two-generation households might not be associated with higher SWB for older adults compared to those living with a spouse only. Empirical studies have found that living in a preferred arrangement is more important for older adults' SWB than following societal norms (Chen, 2019). A growing percentage of contemporary Chinese older adults may prefer to live with their spouses only.…”