# The effect of subjective socioeconomic status on wellbeing among urban older adults with intergenerational parenting: the mediating role of perceived social support

## TL;DR

This study explores how older adults' perception of their socioeconomic status affects their life satisfaction, with social support playing a partial role in this relationship.

## Contribution

The study identifies perceived social support as a partial mediator between subjective socioeconomic status and life satisfaction in urban older adults with intergenerational parenting roles.

## Key findings

- Subjective socioeconomic status (SSES) was positively correlated with life satisfaction among urban older adults.
- Perceived social support partially mediated the relationship between SSES and life satisfaction, accounting for 17.52% of the total effect.
- Participants had moderate-to-high SSES and moderate perceived social support, with moderately high life satisfaction.

## Abstract

This study aimed to examine the predictive role of subjective socioeconomic status (SSES) in the wellbeing of urban older adults engaged in intergenerational parenting, and to explore the mediating role of perceived social support in the relationship between SSES and satisfaction with life.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted using convenience sampling to recruit urban older residents from Deyang City who were involved in intergenerational caregiving. Data were collected through a series of standardized instruments, including a general information questionnaire, the Subjective Socioeconomic Status Scale, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, and the Perceived Social Support Scale. Pearson correlation analyses were performed using SPSS 26.0 to assess the relationships among SSS, life satisfaction, and perceived social support. Structural equation modeling via AMOS 26.0 was employed to analyze the mediating effect of perceived social support on the association between SSES and life satisfaction.

The urban older adults with intergenerational dependence had an average SSES score of 13.52 ± 3.72, a perceived social support score of 58.43 ± 19.15, and a satisfaction with life score of 23.96 ± 5.24. Pearson correlation analysis revealed that SSES was positively correlated with satisfaction with life, and perceived social support was also positively correlated with satisfaction with life. Mediation analysis further indicated that perceived social support partially mediated the relationship between SSES and satisfaction with life, with a mediating effect of 0.086, accounting for 17.52% of the total effect.

The subjective socioeconomic status of urban older adults with intergenerational dependence was at a moderate-to-high level, their perceived social support was moderate, and their satisfaction with life was moderately high. SSES directly influenced satisfaction with life and also had an indirect effect through perceived social support. Families and society should provide sufficient support to the urban older adults engaged in intergenerational parenting and work to enhance their subjective socioeconomic status in order to improve their overall wellbeing.