Research on the Relationship between Widowhood, Social Participation and Life Satisfaction of Rural Elderly
Abstract
Objective: This study aims to explore the relationship between widowhood and social participation on life satisfaction of the elderly in rural China. Methods: We used questionnaires and scales to investigate 322 rural elderly people in Shaanxi Province. Results: We found that widowhood was negatively correlated with social participation (P = 0.033). Widowhood was negatively correlated with life satisfaction (P = 0.007). Social activities play a mediating role between widowhood and life satisfaction. Conclusion: Widowhood directly affects the life satisfaction of the elderly, and widowhood affects the life satisfaction of the elderly through social activities. More participation in social activities is an effective way to improve the life satisfaction of the elderly.References
[1] Wang Guangzhou, Ge Yanxia. Status of Widowed Elderly Population in China and its Development Trend[J]. Scientific Research on Aging, 2013, 1(1): 44.
[2] Utz R L , Deborah C , Randolph N , et al. The effect of widowhood on older adults’ social participation: an evaluation of activity, disengagement, and continuity theories[J]. Gerontologist, (4): 522-33.
[3] Zhou Jianfang. Impact of Widowhood on Health of Rural Elders Study[J]. Population & Development,2015,21(4):82-91.
[4] Chen Huafeng, Chen Huashuai. Effects of marital status on negative affect in elderly[J]. Chinese Mental Health Journal, 2012, 26(2): 104-110.
[5] Zhao xinyi Pan jintang. Social Participation and Depression of the Urban Widowed Women Elders from a Gender Perspective[J]. Collection of Womenation and D 2014(2): 25-33.
[6] Isaac S, Umberson D J. Widowhood and Depression: New Light on Gender Differences, Selection, and Psychological Adjustment[J]. Journals of Gerontology, 2014, (1): 135.
[7] Song-Iee H, Leslie H, Sharon B. Structural Relationships Between Social Activities and Longitudinal Trajectories of Depression Among Older Adults[J]. The Gerontologist, 2009, 49 (1): 1.
[8] Jang Y, Mortimer J A, Haley W E, et al. The role of social engagement in life satisfaction: Its significance among older individuals with disease and disability[J]. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 2004, 23(3): 266-278.
[9] Wang Lili. A review of the theory, empirical and Policy Research on the social participation of the elderly in China[J]. Population & Development, 2011, 17(3): 35-43.
[10] Arens D A. Widowhood and well-being: An examination of sex differences within a causal model[J]. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 1983, 15(1): 27-40.
[11] FOLLAND S. Does D Snternational Journal l"Does D Snternational Journal of A[J]. Social Science and Medicine, 2007, 64 (11) : 2342-2354.
[12] Jang, Y., Haley, W. E., & Graves, A. M. The role of social engagement in late satisfaction: Its significance among older individuals with disease and disability[J]. The Journal of Applied Gerontology, 2004, 23(3), 266-278.
[13] Xie Lili, Wang Bin. Social Participation Profile of the Chinese Elderly in the Context of Active Ageing: Patterns and Determinants[J]. Population Research, 2019, 43(03): 17-30.
Authors contributing to this journal agree to publish their articles under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 International License, allowing third parties to share their work (copy, distribute, transmit) and to adapt it, under the condition that the authors are given credit, that the work is not used for commercial purposes, and that in the event of reuse or distribution, the terms of this license are made clear. With this license, the authors hold the copyright without restrictions and are allowed to retain publishing rights without restrictions as long as this journal is the original publisher of the articles.