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Neighborhood, social cohesion, and the Elderly's depression in Shanghai

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  • Miao, Jia
  • Wu, Xiaogang
  • Sun, Xiulin

Abstract

Neighborhood plays an important role in the provision of elderly care in the context of rapid population aging and dwindling traditional family support in China. This study investigates the association between neighborhood characteristics and depression and its mechanisms among older adults in Shanghai, focusing on social cohesion and social engagement. Based on data from the first wave of Shanghai Urban Neighborhood Survey (SUNS), we show that social cohesion is a channel through which neighborhood attributes are linked with the elderly's subjective well-being. Different from findings in Western societies, Chinese older adults living in neighborhoods of lower socioeconomic status are more likely to interact with their neighbors and thus perceive a higher level of social cohesion. Social cohesion, in turn, is associated with a lower rate of depression. We argue that housing policy in the pre-reform period that integrated work and housing led to the formation of unique Chinese neighborhoods, and that those living in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods have strong social ties, which moderate the negative consequences of living in a disadvantaged one. Moreover, a neighborhood with a lower dependency ratio provides more opportunities for volunteer participation which significantly associates with increased social cohesion and decreased depressive symptoms.

Suggested Citation

  • Miao, Jia & Wu, Xiaogang & Sun, Xiulin, 2019. "Neighborhood, social cohesion, and the Elderly's depression in Shanghai," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 229(C), pages 134-143.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:229:y:2019:i:c:p:134-143
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.08.022
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    6. Hiroko Kamide, 2021. "The Effect of Social Cohesion on Interest, Usefulness, and Ease of Use of a Driving Assistance System in Older Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-11, October.
    7. Wei Chen & Jia Miao, 2023. "Does the Internet Moderate the Neighborhood Effect? Internet Use, Neighborhoods, and Mental Health among Older Adults in Shanghai," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-14, January.
    8. Zeng, Donglin & Wu, Xiaogang, 2022. "Neighborhood collective efficacy in stressful events: The stress-buffering effect," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 306(C).
    9. Chang, Qingsong & Peng, Chenhong & Guo, Yingqi & Cai, Ziyi & Yip, Paul S.F., 2020. "Mechanisms connecting objective and subjective poverty to mental health: Serial mediation roles of negative life events and social support," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    10. Yang, Chaoxian & Chen, Rongrong & Zhong, Shouqin & Liu, Weiping & Xin, Guixin, 2023. "How social solidarity affects the outcomes of rural residential land consolidation: Evidence from Yujiang County, South China," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).

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