Open Journal Systems

The impact of labor participation on older adults' well-being in active aging: A cross-sectional study in Hebei Province, China

Xia Li, Noradilah Md Nordin

Article ID: 3149
Vol 9, Issue 10, 2024, Article identifier:

VIEWS - 0 (Abstract) 0 (PDF)

Abstract

The active aging model has sparked discussions about improving the participation of older adults in the workforce and their overall well-being. This has led to a greater emphasis on providing continuous learning opportunities, offering flexible work arrangements, and creating health programs specifically tailored for this demographic. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to investigate the association between labor participation and subjective well-being and to identify important factors that influence subjective well-being in older adults. The measurement of subjective well-being encompassed two key dimensions (i.e., life satisfaction and depression). The study recruited 202 elderly individuals in Hebei Province, China, through a cross-sectional method. Our findings revealed that the percentage of elderly individuals participating in the workforce was relatively low. There was a notable positive association between labor participation and life satisfaction. Additionally, labor participation and educational attainment are found to be significantly associated with life satisfaction among older adults. In summary, the findings of this study are essential for providing ideas to promote healthy aging and optimize the allocation of human resources.


Keywords

labor participation; subjective well-being; life satisfaction; active aging; older adults

Full Text:

PDF



References

1. National Bureau of Statistics of China. Population total decreases, high-quality population development achieves results. https://www.stats.gov.cn/xxgk/jd/sjjd2020/202401/t20240118_1946711.html (2024)

2. World Health Organization. Active ageing: A policy framework. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/67215 (2002)

3. Fu, F., Liang, Y., An, Y.,et al. Self-efficacy and mental health of nursing home residents in China: The mediating role of social participation. Asia Pacific Journal of Social Work and Development 2018; 28(2): 128-140.

4. Wang, M. C., D’Souza, R. Economic stability and aging: A review. Journal of Aging & Social Policy 2020; 32(4): 373-390.

5. Krause, N. Meaning in Life and Mortality. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences 2003; 58(3): 160-168.

6. Cox, C. L., Kahana, E. Social Networks and Social Support in Later Life. Journal of Aging Studies 2011; 25(4): 339-348.

7. Diener, E., Emmons, R. A., Larsem, R. J.,et al. The Satisfaction With Life Scale. Journal of Personality Assessment 1985; 49(1): 71–75. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327752jpa4901_13

8. Opinions on accelerating the development of community rehabilitation services for mental disorders. State Council of the People's Republic of China. https://www.gov.cn/xinwen/2017-11/13/content_5239315.htm#1 (2017)

9. Agarwal, S., Alok, S., Chopra, Y.,et al. Government employment guarantee, labor supply, and firms’ reaction: Evidence from the largest public workfare program in the world. Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis 2021; 56(2): 409-442.

10. Hebei Provincial Government. (2020). Hebei Province elderly care service development report.

11. Zhao, J., Zheng, S., Wei, W. The impact of reemployment on the subjective well-being of retired elderly: An empirical study based on CHARLS data. Journal of Shijiazhuang Tiedao University (Social Science Edition) 2020; 14(3): 61-70.

12. Diener, E. Subjective well-being. Psychological Bulletin 1984; 95(3): 542–575. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.95.3.542

13. Xiong, C., Xu, Y.Reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Satisfaction With Life Scale among the general population . Chinese Journal of Health Psychology 2009; 17(8): 948-949.

14. Tang, J. The impact of intergenerational support on the subjective well-being of the elderly: An analysis based on age group differences. South Population 2016; 31(134): 60-70.

15. Ma, W. Analysis of the current situation and influencing factors of subjective well-being among the elderly in Changchun [Master's thesis]. Jilin University ; 2023.

16. Zhou, J., He, M. The impact of intergenerational support on the life satisfaction of older adults: An empirical analysis based on CLHLS 2014 data. Chinese Journal of Gerontology 2019, 39(7): 1730-1733.

17. Huang, J. Education level, income level, and the happiness of urban residents in China: An empirical analysis based on the Data of the 2005 Chinese General Social Survey. Chinese Journal of Sociology 2013; 33(5): 181-203.

18. Wang, Z., Sohail, M. T. Short-and long-run influence of education on subjective well-being: the role of information and communication technology in China. Frontiers in psychology 2022; 13, 927562.

19. Dong, X., Zang, W. The impact of retirement on the health of middle-aged and elderly people. Demographic Journal 2017; 1: 76-88.

20. Heller-Sahlgren, G. Retirement blues. Journal of Health Economics 2017; 54: 66–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhealeco.2017.03.007

21. Lee, J., Kim, M. H. The effect of employment transitions on physical health among the elderly in South Korea: A longitudinal analysis of the Korean Retirement and Income Study. Social Science & Medicine 2017; 181: 122-130.

22. Pinquart, M., Schindler, I. Changes of Life Satisfaction in the Transition to Retirement: A Latent-Class Approach. Psychology and Aging 2007; 22(3): 442–455. https://doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.22.3.442

23. Jin, G. The current situation of retirement age in China, issues, and the necessity of implementing delayed retirement. Social Security Studies 2010; (2): 32-38.

24. Liu, R., Gong, Y. Research on the subjective well-being of the elderly and its influencing factors. Chinese Journal of Clinical Psychology2000; 8(2): 73-78.

25. Huang, W., Lv, K. The Effect of “ Retirement without Retirement” on Subjective Well-Being of Older Adults - An Empirical Analysis Based on CHARLS Data. Taxation and Economy 2020; 3: 22–31.

26. Lu, Y. P., Zhang, K. Z. Does Social Mobility Affect Residents’ Happiness-Empirical Evidence from Transitional China. Financial Sciences 2014; 3: 96–107.

27. He, J. A comparative study of psychological health among retired elderly in Xi'an: Employment vs. non-employment after retirement [Master's thesis]. Yan'an University; 2020.

28. Wang, Q., Zeng, G. The Effect of Retirement and Pension Income on Happiness - An Empirical Analysis Based on CHARLS Data. Insurance Studies 2015; 11: 95–109. https://doi.org/10.13497/j.cnki.is.2015.11.009

29. Huang, W., Lv, K. The Effect of “ Retirement without Retirement” on Subjective Well-Being of Older Adults - An Empirical Analysis Based on CHARLS Data. Taxation and Economy 2020; 3: 22–31.

30. Pilipiec, P., Groot, W., Pavlova, M. The effect of an increase of the retirement age on the health, well-being, and labor force participation of older workers: a systematic literature review. Journal of Population Ageing 2021: 14: 271-315.

31. Dmello, V., Hussain, D. Cultural Differences in Factors that Influence the Well-Being of Older People: A Narrative Review. Human Arenas 2023; 1-22.

32. China Family Panel Studies. China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) 2020 questionnaire. Peking University.

33. u, X., Chen, Y., Qu, X.,et al.Factors influencing the subjective well-being of the elderly. Chinese Journal of Mental Health 2016; 30(6): 427-434.

34. Andresen, E. M., Malmgren, J. A., Carter, W. B., et al. Screening for depression in well older adults: evaluation of a short form of the CES-D (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale). American Journal of Preventive Medicine 1994; 10(2): 77–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0749- 3797(18)30622-6

35. Jie, Z., Zhenyun, W., Ge, F., et al. Establishment of a National Urban Norm for the Flow Center Depression Scale. Chinese Journal of Mental Health 2010; 24(2): 139–143. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1000-6729.2010.02.015

36. Yang, J., Shi, D. Research on the development and utilization of productive resources for the elderly under the background of active aging. Studies on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics 2021; 3(5): 85-95.

37. Chen, W. How Education Enhances Happiness: Comparison of Mediating Factors in Four East Asian Countries. Social Indicators Research 2012; 106(1): 117–131. http://www.jstor.org/stable/41409378

38. Chen, J., Jordan, L. P. Intergenerational support and life satisfaction of young-, old- and oldest-old adults in China. Aging & Mental Health 2018; 22(3): 412–420. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2016.1261798

39. Du, P., Wang, B. How does internet use affect life satisfaction among the elderly in China? Population Research 2020; 44(4): 3-17.

40. Thoits, P. A. Conceptual, Methodological, and Theoretical Problems in Studying Social Support as a Buffer Against Life Stress. Journal of Health and Social Behavior 1982; 23(2):145-159. https://doi.org/10.2307/2136511


DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/esp.v9i10.3149
(0 Abstract Views, 0 PDF Downloads)

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.


Copyright (c) 2024 Xia Li, Noradilah Md Nordin

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.