Association Between Living Arrangements and Psychological Well-Being Among Older Adults in Rural China: Activities of Daily Living Disability as a Moderator

Abstract

This study investigated the association between living arrangements and psychological well-being (PWB) among older adults in rural China and whether activities of daily living (ADL) disability moderate this association. The study data were drawn from the sixth to eighth waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. The baseline sample included 4,042 individuals aged 65 years and above. PWB was measured using seven mood-related and personality-related questions. ADL disability was measured using Katz’s 6 items of ADL. Living arrangements were categorized into six categories. Linear mixed-effect models were used to examine the association between older adults’ living arrangements and PWB as well as the moderating effect of ADL disability on this relationship. The results showed that compared with living alone, living with spouse only, and living with spouse and children were positively associated with PWB (β = .621, p < .01; β = .527, p < .05), and living with children (no spouse) was negatively associated with PWB (β = −.564, p < .001). ADL disability was negatively associated with PWB (β = −.457, p < .01). Living with children (no spouse) × ADL disability had a positive interaction effect (β = .278, p < .05). These findings suggest that living alone and living with children (no spouse) are not conducive to PWB among older adults in rural China, and ADL disability reduces the negative effects of living with children (no spouse) on PWB. Our findings provide a crucial direction for PWB interventions aimed at older adults in rural China.