Subjective Social Status, Area Deprivation, and Gender Differences in Health among Chinese Older People

Xi Chen, Jean Woo (), Ruby Yu, Gary Ka-Ki Chung, Wei Yao and Eng-Kiong Yeoh
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Xi Chen: Department of Sociology and Social Policy, Lingnan University, Hong Kong SAR, China
Jean Woo: CUHK Jockey Club Institute of Ageing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Ruby Yu: CUHK Jockey Club Institute of Ageing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Gary Ka-Ki Chung: CUHK Institute of Health Equity, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Wei Yao: Department of Sociology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Eng-Kiong Yeoh: JC School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 16, 1-14

Abstract: This study examined the gender differences in the main and interactive effects of subjective social status and area deprivation on health among older adults in Hong Kong. Data for this study came from the baseline of MrOs and MsOs studies, including 4000 Chinese men and women ≥ 65 in Hong Kong. Subjective social status was assessed using the MacArthur Scale of subjective social status scale. Our results reaffirm that subjective social status is an independent indicator of health after adjusting for objective SES measures (e.g., education and income). Perceived rank on the community ladder was more closely related to health among older people than was the society ladder, particularly for women. Although area-level social deprivation was not significantly associated with the health of older people, it may moderate the effect of subjective social status on health. Women with a lower perceived status in the community were more likely to experience depressive symptoms but better grip strength when living in more deprived neighborhoods. The findings suggested that subjective social status provides important information for the physical and mental health of the older population. Policymakers may implement interventions to enhance the subjective social status of older adults. Given the greater contribution of relative status in the community to the health of women, these policies and interventions should target to improve women’s perceived status in the community.

Keywords: subjective social status; area deprivation; physical health; mental health; gender differences; status in the community; older people; Hong Kong (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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