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How Does Multidimensional Poverty Affect Sustainable Well-Being Associated with Elderly Cognitive Function? Evidence from the 2018 CLHLS Survey in China

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  • Lingdi Zhao

    (School of Economics, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266000, China
    Marine Development Studies Institute of OUC, Key Research Institute of Humanities and Social Sciences at Universities, Ministry of Education, Qingdao 266000, China)

  • Xueting Wang

    (School of Economics, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266000, China)

  • Haixia Wang

    (College of Mathematics and Systems Science, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266590, China)

  • Qutu Jiang

    (Department of Geography, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China)

Abstract

This study examines the impact of family multidimensional poverty on cognitive function among older adults in China using the 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). Filling a critical gap in the existing literature, we construct a multidimensional poverty index (MPI) based on the Alkire-Foster methodology to evaluate cognitive decline within the context of China’s post-poverty-eradication landscape. Utilizing quantile regression analysis, our findings demonstrate that multidimensional poverty exerts a significant, negative effect on cognitive function, which is more pronounced among individuals at lower cognitive quantiles, consistent with the cumulative disadvantage theory. Furthermore, we identify substantial urban–rural and regional disparities, revealing unique socio-economic inequalities. By linking multidimensional poverty to elderly cognitive health through psychosocial pathways, this study provides empirical evidence that reducing multidimensional deprivation among older adults is integral to achieving both SDG1 and SDG3 in China’s post-eradication context, demonstrating that income-based metrics alone are insufficient to capture the full burden of poverty on elderly cognitive health.

Suggested Citation

  • Lingdi Zhao & Xueting Wang & Haixia Wang & Qutu Jiang, 2026. "How Does Multidimensional Poverty Affect Sustainable Well-Being Associated with Elderly Cognitive Function? Evidence from the 2018 CLHLS Survey in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-23, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:18:y:2026:i:7:p:3295-:d:1908215
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