The Impact of Social Isolation on the Subjective Well-Being of Older People in China: An Empirical Analysis Based on the 2021 China General Social Survey

TL;DR

This study examines how social isolation affects the happiness and well-being of older people in China, using survey data from 2021.

Contribution

The study introduces extended and simple models to analyze how social isolation and health perception affect older adults' subjective well-being.

Findings

Social isolation and health self-assessment strongly influence older adults' subjective well-being.

Social isolation changes older individuals' perception of caregiving responsibility.

Private insurance has limited impact on the well-being of older adults compared to younger individuals.

Abstract

This study focuses on the psychological state and economic preparedness of socially isolated older individuals in China’s rapidly aging society. Both a simple model and an extended model were developed and tested to explore the impact of social isolation on the subjective well-being of older adults by analyzing how social isolation, self-assessment of health, and anxiety about old age affect subjective well-being. The results indicated that both social isolation and self-assessment of health have a strong influence on subjective well-being, and that social isolation significantly alters older individuals’ perception of caregiving responsibility. While private insurance participation had a significant impact on the well-being of younger individuals, its effect on older adults was limited. These findings provide valuable insights for improving support systems for older people.

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