Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Protective Factors for Subjective Well-being in Chinese Older Adults: The Roles of Resources and Activity

  • Research Paper
  • Published:
Journal of Happiness Studies Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The purpose of current study was to examine the relationships between resources, activity, and subjective well-being in later life. Using a national sample (N = 3,795) of older adults randomly selected from major Chinese mainland cities, we integrated the constructs of resources and activity into a structural model of subjective well-being. In the model, the three key resources, health, economic status and family relations, were specified as having direct effects on both activity and subjective well-being. Additionally, activity was specified as having a direct effect on subjective well-being. AMOS software was used to test and compare the goodness of fit of various models. The data had a satisfactory fit to the model (GFI = 0.980, NNFI = 0.959, CFI = 0.973, RMSEA = 0.049), indicating that the three resources had significant contributions to subjective well-being. Comparisons using several nested models also suggested that family relations had a stronger effect than health and economic status on subjective well-being. Further, activity was a partial mediator in the relationships between resources and subjective well-being.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. We removed the cases that with more than 10 % missing items from the dataset before conducting the analysis. The participants that were not included in the final analysis tend to forget to response on items in the same page. As a result, many (or even all) items of some scales used in current study were missing. We believed that these cases must have significant influences on the final results and distort the fact that we are searching for. For the remaining 3,795 participants in the sample, limited itemscores were missing (not more than 0.5 %).

References

  • Arent, S. M., Landers, D. M., & Etnier, J. L. (2000). The effects of exercise on mood in older adults: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Aging and Physical Activity, 8(4), 407–430.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baltes, P. B. (1997). On the incomplete architecture of human ontogeny: Selection, optimization and compensation as foundation of developmental theory. American Psychologist, 52(4), 366–380.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baltes, M. M., & Lang, F. R. (1997). Everyday functioning and successful aging: The impact of resources. Psychology and Aging, 12(3), 433–443.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barenberg, J., Berse, T., & Dutke, S. (2011). Executive functions in learning processes: Do they benefit from physical activity? Educational Research Review, 6(3), 208–222.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berg, A. I., Hassing, L. B., McClearn, G. E., & Johansson, B. (2006). What matters for life satisfaction in the oldest-old? Aging & Mental Health, 10(3), 257–264.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bishop, A. J., Martin, P., & Poon, L. (2006). Happiness and congruence in older adulthood: A structural model of life satisfaction. Aging & Mental Health, 10(5), 445–453.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bowling, A. (2008). Enhancing later life: How older people perceive active ageing? Aging & Mental Health, 12(3), 293–301.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burgess, E. W. (1954). Social relations, activities, and personal adjustment. American Journal of Sociology, 59(4), 352–360.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng, S. T., & Chan, A. (2006). Filial piety and psychological well-being in well older Chinese. The Journals of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 61(5), 262–269.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chodzko-Zajko, W. J., Proctor, D. N., Fiatarone Singh, M. A., Minson, C. T., Nigg, C. R., Salem, G. J., et al. (2009). Exercise and physical activity for older adults. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 41(7), 1510–1530.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chou, K. L., Macfarlane, D. J., Chi, I., & Cheng, Y. H. (2008). Barriers to exercise scale for Chinese older adults. Topics in Geriatric Rehabilitation, 24(4), 295–304.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2008). Hedonia, eudaimonia, and well-being: An introduction. Journal of Happiness Studies, 9, 1–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E. (1984). Subjective well-being. Psychological Bulletin, 95(3), 542–575.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E., Oishi, S., & Lucas, R. E. (2003). Personality, culture, and subjective well-being: Emotional and cognitive evaluations of life. Annual Review of Psychology, 54, 403–425.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dush, C. M., & Amato, P. R. (2005). Consequences of relationship status and quality for subjective well-being. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 22(5), 607–627.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • George, L. K. (2010). Still happy after all these years: Research frontiers on subjective well-being in later life. Journal of Gerontology: Social Science, 65B(3), 331–339.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Greig, G., Entwistle, V. A., & Beech, N. (2012). Addressing complex healthcare problems in diverse settings: Insights from activity theory. Social Science and Medicine, 74(3), 305–312.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hayward, M. D., Friedman, S., & Chen, H. (1998). Career trajectories and older men’s retirement. Journal of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 53B(2), S91–S103.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Herero, V. G., & Extremera, N. (2010). Daily life activities as mediators of the relationship between personality variables and subjective well-being among older adults. Personality and Individual Differences, 49(2), 124–129.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hobfoll, S. E. (2002). Social and psychological resources and adaptation. Review of General Psychology, 6(4), 307–324.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kanning, M., & Schlicht, W. (2008). A bio-psycho-social model of successful aging as shown through the variable “physical activity”. European Review of Aging and Physical Activity, 5(2), 79–87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Katz, R., & Lowenstein, A. (2003). Elders quality of life and intergenerational relations: A cross-national comparison. Hallym International Journal of Aging, 5(2), 131–158.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, J. R., & Ross, J. E. (1989). Later-life leisure: Beginning a new agenda. Leisure Sciences, 11(1), 47–59.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Keyes, C., Shmotkin, D., & Ryff, C. D. (2002). Optimizing well-being: The empirical encounter of two traditions. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 82(6), 1007–1022.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kozma, A., & Stones, M. J. (1980). The measurement of happiness: Development of the Memorial University of Newfoundland Scale of Happiness (MUNSH). The Journal of Gerontology, 35(6), 906–912.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kritz-Silverstein, D., Barrett-Connor, E., & Corbeau, C. (2001). Cross-sectional and prospective study of exercise and depressed mood in the elderly. American Journal of Epidemiology, 153(6), 596–603.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lampinen, P., Heikkinen, R. L., Kauppinen, M., & Heikkinen, E. (2006). Activity as a predictor of mental well-being among older adults. Aging & Mental Health, 10(5), 454–466.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lampinen, P., Heikkinen, R. L., & Ruoppila, I. (2000). Changes in intensity of physical exercise as predictors of depressive symptoms among older adults: An eight-year follow-up. Preventive Medicine, 30(5), 371–380.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Landau, R., & Litwin, H. (2001). Subjective well-being among the old–old: The role of health, personality and social support. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 52(4), 265–280.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, A., & Browne, M. O. (2008). Subjective well-being, sociodemographic factors, mental and physical health of rural residents. Australian Journal of Rural Health, 16(5), 290–296.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lemon, B. W., Bengtson, V. L., & Peterson, J. A. (1972). An exploration of the activity theory of aging: Activity types and life satisfaction among in-movers to a retirement community. The Journal of Gerontology, 27(4), 511–523.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, L. W., & Liang, J. (2007). Social exchanges and subjective well-being among older Chinese: Does age make a difference? Psychology and Aging, 22(2), 386–391.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lowenstein, A. (2007). Solidarity–conflict and ambivalence: Testing two conceptual frameworks and their impact on quality of life for older family members. The Journals of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 62(2), 100–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin, P. (2002). Individual and social resources predicting well-being and functioning in the later years: Conceptual models, research and practice. Ageing International, 27(2), 3–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McAuley, E., Kramer, A. F., & Colcombe, S. J. (2004). Cardiovascular fitness and neurocognitive function in older adults: A brief review. Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 18(3), 214–220.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Minhat, H. S., & Amin, R. M. (2011). Sociodemographic determinants of leisure participation among elderly in Malaysia. Journal of Community Health,. doi:10.1007/s10900-011-9518-8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mroczek, D. K., & Spiro, A. (2005). Change in life satisfaction during adulthood: Findings from the Veterans affairs normative aging study. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 88(1), 189–202.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Paluska, S. A., & Schwenk, T. L. (2000). Physical activity and mental health: Current concepts. Sports medicine, 29(3), 167–180.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pinquart, M. (2001). Correlates of subjective health in older adults: A meta-analysis. Psychology and Aging, 16(3), 414–426.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Poon, C. Y. M., & Fung, H. H. (2008). Physical activity and psychological well-being among Hong Kong Chinese older adults: Exploring the moderating role of self-construal. The International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 66(1), 1–19.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro, A., & Keyes, C. L. (2008). Marital status and social well-being: Are the married always better off? Social Indicators Research, 88(2), 329–346.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sheldon, K. M., & Elliot, A. J. (1999). Goal striving, need satisfaction, and longitudinal well-being: The self-concordance model. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 76(5), 482–497.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shrout, P. E., & Bolger, N. (2002). Mediation in experimental and nonexperimental studies: New procedures and recommendations. Psychological Methods, 7(4), 422–445.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sin, M. K., Sanderson, B., Weaver, M., Giger, J., Pemberton, J., & Klapow, J. (2004). Personal characteristics, health status, physical activity, and quality of life in cardiac rehabilitation participants. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 41(2), 173–181.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spinney, J. E. L., Scott, D. M., & Newbold, K. B. (2009). Transport mobility benefits and quality of life: A time-use perspective of elderly Canadians. Transport Policy, 16, 1–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stathi, A., Fox, K. R., & McKenna, J. (2002). Physical activity and dimensions of subjective well-being in older adults. Journal of aging and physical activity, 10(1), 76–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steverink, N., Lindenberg, S., & Ormel, J. (1998). Towards understanding successful ageing: Patterned change in resources and goals. Ageing and Society, 18(4), 441–467.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steverink, N., Westerhof, G. J., Bode, C., & Dittmann-Kohli, F. (2001). The personal experience of aging, individual resources, and subjective well-being. The Journals of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 56(6), 364–373.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, A. H., Cable, N. T., Faulkner, G., Hillsdon, M., Narici, M., & Van Der Bij, A. K. (2004). Physical activity and older adults: A review of health benefits and the effectiveness of interventions. Journal of Sports Sciences, 22(8), 703–725.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Triandis, H. C. (1995). Individualism and collectivism. Boulder, CO: Westview Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, H. X., Karp, A., Winblad, B., & Fratiglioni, L. (2002). Late-life engagement in social and leisure activities is associated with a decreased risk of dementia: A longitudinal study from the Kungsholmen project. American Journal of Epidemiology, 155(12), 1081–1087.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Warr, P., Butcher, V., & Robertson, I. (2004). Activity and psychological well-being in older people. Aging & Mental Health, 8(2), 172–183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waterman, A. S., Schwartz, S. J., & Conti, R. (2008). The implications of two conceptions of happiness (hedonic enjoyment and eudaimonia) for the understanding of intrinsic motivation. Journal of Happiness Studies, 9, 41–79.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Webster, J. D. (1998). Attachment styles, reminiscence functions and happiness in young and elderly adults. Journal of Aging studies, 12(3), 315–330.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wiesmann, U., & Hannich, H. J. (2008). A salutogenic view on subjective well-being in active elderly persons. Aging & Mental Health, 12(1), 56–65.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, A., Xie, X., Liu, W., Xia, Y., & Liu, D. (2007). Chinese family strengths and resiliency. Marriage & Family Review, 41(1), 143–164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was Supported by Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (GK201102032), National Natural Science Foundation of China (30770725), Special Financial Grant from the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (201104168), National Science & Technology Pillar Program of China (2009BAI77B03), Knowledge Innovation Project of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (KSCX2-YW-R-256), and Project for Young Scientists Fund (07CX091009), Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, for funding this research. The authors would like to thank Rhoda E. and Edmund F. Perozzi for English editing assistance and thank Marjolein Fokkema for suggestive advices on this paper.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center on Aging Psychology, Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 4A Datun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100101, China

    Bibing Dai, Baoshan Zhang & Juan Li

  2. School of Medical Humanities, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China

    Bibing Dai

  3. School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University, 199A Chang’an South Road, Yanta District, Xi’an, 710062, China

    Baoshan Zhang

Authors
  1. Bibing Dai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Baoshan Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Juan Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Baoshan Zhang or Juan Li.

Additional information

Baoshan Zhang, Bibing Dai: equal contributions to this work and should be considered as co-first authors of this paper.

The work performed in School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University is as important as that performed in Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and School of Psychology, Shaanxi Normal University is the co-first institution of this paper.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Dai, B., Zhang, B. & Li, J. Protective Factors for Subjective Well-being in Chinese Older Adults: The Roles of Resources and Activity. J Happiness Stud 14, 1225–1239 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-012-9378-7

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-012-9378-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation