The Relationship between Social Participation and Subjective Well-Being among Older People in the Chinese Culture Context: The Mediating Effect of Reciprocity Beliefs

Xinyu He (), Daniel T. L. Shek, Wenbin Du (), Yangu Pan and Yin Ma
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Xinyu He: Humanities and Law School, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
Daniel T. L. Shek: Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
Wenbin Du: Research Institute of Social Development, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, No. 555, Liutai Avenue, Wenjiang District, Chengdu 611130, China
Yangu Pan: Research Institute of Social Development, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, No. 555, Liutai Avenue, Wenjiang District, Chengdu 611130, China
Yin Ma: School of Business, Sichuan Normal University, No. 5, Jingan Avenue, Jinjiang District, Chengdu 610101, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 23, 1-14

Abstract: It is demonstrated that the subjective well-being (SWB) of older people greatly relies on their social participation. However, there are few studies on reciprocity beliefs as a mediating mechanism between social participation and SWB. In this study, 297 participants aged 60 and over in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, completed a questionnaire of social participation, reciprocity beliefs, and SWB. We used multiple linear regression and mediation analyses to verify the mediating effect of reciprocity beliefs. Results showed that social participation was positively relative to SWB and reciprocity beliefs, and reciprocity beliefs played an intermediary role in social participation and SWB. These findings suggest the importance of social participation for SWB, with reciprocity beliefs (behaviors) playing a positive mediating role, particularly in China. In conclusion, analysis of the mediating effect of reciprocity beliefs provides us with knowledge that could help in achieving a healthy old age. Additionally, this study opens up new perspectives of research.

Keywords: reciprocity belief; social participation; subjective well-being; mediating effect; Chinese older people (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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