Social Participation and Life Satisfaction Among Rural Older Adults in China: The Mediating Roles of Social Networks and Loneliness

Feb 25, 2025Journal of applied gerontology : the official journal of the Southern Gerontological Society

How Social Activities Relate to Life Satisfaction in Rural Older Adults in China, Linked Through Their Social Connections and Feelings of Loneliness

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Abstract

Social participation positively affects life satisfaction among rural older adults (β = 0.155, < .001).

Social networks may mediate the relationship between social participation and life satisfaction, accounting for 5.56% of the total effect.
Loneliness is also associated with this relationship, mediating 16.16% of the total effect.
Both mediators operate independently, suggesting different pathways through which social participation impacts life satisfaction.

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Research has shown that social participation is related to life satisfaction. However, there is no study that simultaneously examines the mediating role of social networks and loneliness in this association. This study uses data from the Well-being of Older Adults in Anhui Province (2021,= 1534). Parallel mediation analysis was employed to examine whether social networks and loneliness mediate the relationship between social participation and life satisfaction. Social participation had a positive effect on life satisfaction among rural older adults (β = 0.155,< .001). Parallel mediation analysis showed that both social networks and loneliness independently mediated the relationship between social participation and life satisfaction (β = 0.011, 95%CI = [0.002, 0.022]; β = 0.032, 95%CI = [0.002, 0.060]), with the proportions of the total effect mediated being 5.56% and 16.16%, respectively. Diversified channels for social participation should be recommended to enhance the engagement of rural older adults, expand their social networks, and alleviate loneliness, ultimately improving their quality of life. n p

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