# 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.

## Key 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.