Family social capital and life satisfaction among older adults living alone in urban China: the moderating role of functional health

Abstract

Objectives: The present study examined the moderating effects of functional health on the association between family social capital and life satisfaction among older adults who live alone in urban China.

Method: Data for this study were derived from a study “Survey on older adults aged 70 and above who live alone in urban China,” which was carried out in five Chinese cities between November 2013 and May 2015. 2801 respondents passed the screening test of cognitive capacities and successfully completed the survey. Family social capital was operationalized as family interaction, number of children, and family relationship. Random-effects logistic regression was conducted to test the proposed hypotheses.

Results: The moderating effects of functional health on the association between family interaction and life satisfaction were identified. While family interaction was positively associated with life satisfaction among older adults without disabilities who live alone, family interaction was negatively associated with life satisfaction among those with disabilities. Furthermore, the association between number of children and life satisfaction was nonsignificant among older adults without disabilities, when family relationship was controlled. However, number of children was positively associated with life satisfaction among those with disabilities. Finally, the results showed family relationship were important protective factors of life satisfaction among older adults living alone, regardless of their functional health levels.

Conclusion: Theoretical aspects on how family social capital, living alone, and functional health are interwoven and influence mental health in later life were deliberated. Policy and intervention implications were discussed.