Social activity and psychological wellbeing of the widowed elderly in China: gender differences

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the gender differences in the relationship between social activity engagement and psychological wellbeing of widowed elders in urban China. METHODS: Data for this study came from the 2011 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. The sample included 666 widowed elders. Multivariate regression analyses were used. FINDINGS: Widowed elderly had a higher depression score than their married counterparts. There was no significant gender difference in participation of four social activities (interacting with friends, playing Mahjong/chess/cards, going to club, and involving in community organization). However, multivariate analysis showed that for widowers, engagement in social activity was not significantly related to depression, while for widows, playing Mahjong/chess/cards and involving in club were negatively related to depression. The study implies that the coping in widowhood might differ in gender. Social service should pay more attention to the widowed elders and their gender differences.