Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The More Engagement, the Better? A Study of Mortality of the Oldest Old in China

  • Chapter
Healthy Longevity in China

Part of the book series: The Springer Series on Demographic Methods and Population Analysis ((PSDE,volume 20))

Abstract

This chapter investigates the role of social engagement in mortality among the oldest old in China. Adopting the convoy networkmodel, we differentiate engagement with close social ties (spouse and children) from other social activities. Weibull hazard models were employed to analyze the mortality risk of those aged 80 or above within a 2-year period between 1998 and 2000. While the results of the whole sample show significant effects of marital status and number of children alive on mortality without the interaction effect, the beneficial effect of social activities on mortality gradually diminished with age and was reversed at very old ages, when health status, health behaviors, and socio-demographic characteristics were controlled. But the results vary by place of residence and gender. The findings seem to suggest that more social engagement may not necessarily be better for the well-being of the elderly at very old ages.

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

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Refereances

  • Agresti, A. and B. Finlay (1997), Statistical methods for the social sciences. 3rd ed. New Jersey: Prentice Hall

    Google Scholar 

  • Anstey, K.J., M.A. Luszcz, and L.C. Giles (2001), Demographic, health, cognitive, and sensory variables as predictors of mortality in very old adults. Psychology and Aging, 16 (1), pp. 3–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Atchley, R.C. (1989), A continuity theory of normal aging. The Gerontologist 29 (2),pp. 183–190

    Google Scholar 

  • Balters, M.M. and L.L. Carstensen (1996), The process of successful aging. Ageing and Society 16 (4), pp. 397–422

    Google Scholar 

  • Baltes, P.B. (1997), On the incomplete architecture of human ontogeny. American Psychologist 52 (4), pp. 366–380

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baltes, M.M. and L.L. Carstensen (1996), The process of successful aging. Ageing and Society 16(4), pp. 397–422

    Google Scholar 

  • Belloc, N.B. (1973), Relationship of health practices and mortality. Preventive Medicine 2 (1), pp. 67–81

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berkman, L.F. and L. Breslow (1983), Social networks and mortality risk. In: L.F. Berkman and L. Breslow (eds.): Health and ways of living. New York: Oxford University Press, pp. 113–160

    Google Scholar 

  • Berkman, L.F., L. Breslow, and D. Wingard (1983), Health practices and mortality risk. In: L.F. Berkman and L. Breslow (eds.): Health and ways of living. New York: Oxford University Press, pp. 61–112

    Google Scholar 

  • Berkman, L.F., T. Glass, I. Brissete, and T.E. Seeman (2000), From social integration to health: Durkheim in the new millennium. Social Science and Medicine 51 (6), pp. 843–857

    Google Scholar 

  • Bygren, L.O., B.B. Konlann, and S. Johansson (1996), Attendance at cultural events, reading books or periodicals, and making music or singing in a choir as determinants for survival: Swedish interview survey of living conditions. British Medical Journal 313 (21),pp. 1577–1580

    Google Scholar 

  • Carstensen, L.L. (1991), Selectivity theory: Social activity in life-span context. Annual Review of Gerontology and Geriatrics 11, pp. 195–217

    Google Scholar 

  • Carstensen, L.L. (1992), Social and emotional patterns in adulthood: Support for socioemotional selectivity theory. Psychology and Aging 7 (3), pp. 331–338

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cerhan, J.R., C. Chiu, R.B. Wallace, J.H. Lemke, C.F. Lynch, J.C. Torner, and L.M. Rubenstein (1998), Physical activity, physical function, and the risk of breast cancer in a prospective study among elderly women. Journal of Gerontology53A (4), M251–M256

    Google Scholar 

  • Cumming, E. and W.E. Henry (1961), Growing old: The process of disengagement. New York: Basic Books

    Google Scholar 

  • DiPietro, L. (2001), Physical activity in aging: changes in patterns and their relationship to health and functions. Journals of Gerontology 56A (Special Issue II), pp. 13–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Glass, T.A., C. Mendes de Leon, R.A. Marottoli, and L.F. Berkman (1999), Population based study of social and productive activities as predictors of survival among elderly Americans. British Medical Journal 319 (8), 478–483

    Google Scholar 

  • Gove, W.R. (1972), The relationship between sex roles, mental illness and marital status. Social Forces, 51, 34–44

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gove, W.R. (1973). Sex, marital status and mortality. American Journal of Sociology 70,45–67

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ho, S.C. (1991), Health and social predictors of mortality in an elderly Chinese cohort. American Journal of Epidemiology 133 (9), pp. 907–921

    Google Scholar 

  • House, J.S., R.C. Kessler, A.R. Herzog, R.P. Mero, A.M. Kinney, and M.J. Breslow (1992), Social stratification, age, and health. In: K.W. Schaie, D. Blazer, and J.S. House (eds.): Aging, health behaviors, and health outcomes. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, pp. 1–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, C.L. and B.M. Barer (1992), Patterns of engagement and disengagement among the oldest old. Journal of Aging Studies 6 (4), pp. 351–364

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, C.L. and B.M. Barer (1997), Life beyond 85 years. New York: Springer

    Google Scholar 

  • Kahn, R.K. and T.C. Antonucci (1980), Convoys over the life course: Attachment, roles, and social Support. In: P.B. Baltes and O.G. Brim (eds.): Life-span development and behavior. New York: Academic Press, pp. 253–286

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, G.A. (1992), Heath and aging in the Alameda County Study. In: K.W. Schaie, D. Blazer, and J.S. House (eds.): Aging, health behaviors, and health outcomes. Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, pp. 69–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, G.A., M.N. Hann, S.L. Syme, M. Minkler, and M. Windeby (1987a), Socioeconomic status and health. In: R.W. Amler and H.B. Dull (eds.):Closing the gap: The burden of unnecessary illness. New York: Oxford University Press, pp. 125–129

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, G.A., T.E. Seeman, R.D. Cohen, L.P. Knudsen, and J. Guralnik (1987b), Mortality among the elderly in the Alameda County Study: Behavioral and demographic risk factors. American Journal of Public Health 77 (3), pp. 307–312

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lang, F.R. and L.L. Carstensen (1994), Close emotional relationships in later life: Further support for proactive aging in the social domain. Psychology and Aging 9 (2), pp. 315–324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, E.T. (1992), Statistical methods for survival data analysis. New York: Wiley

    Google Scholar 

  • Lennartsson, C. and M. Silverstein (2001), Does engagement with life enhance survival of elderly people in Sweden? The role of social and leisure activities. Journal of Gerontology 56B (6), pp. S335–S342

    Google Scholar 

  • Liang, J., J.F. McCarthy, A. Jain, N. Krause, J.M. Bennett, and S. Gu (2000), Socioeconomic gradient in old age mortality in Wuhan, China. Journal of Gerontology 55B (4), pp. S222–S233

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu, X., A.I. Hermalin, and Y.L. Chuang (1998), The effects of education on mortality among older Taiwanese and its pathways. Journal of Gerontology 53B (2), pp. S71–S82

    Google Scholar 

  • Mookherjee, H.N. (1997), Marital status, gender, and perception of well-being. The Journal of Social Psychology 137, 95–105

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, D.L. (1988), Age differences in social network participation. Journal of Gerontology 43 (4), pp. S129–S137

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, K. and D. Clarke (1997), Customary physical activity and survival in later life: A study in Nottingham, UK. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 51 (5), pp. 490–493

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, K., H. Dallosso, E.J. Bassey, S. Ebrahim, P.H. Fenten, and T.H.D. Arie (1991), Customary physical activity, psychological well-being and successful aging. Ageing and Society 11 (4), pp. 399–415

    Google Scholar 

  • Parker, M.G., M. Thorslund, and M. Nordstrom (1992), Predictors of mortality for the oldest old. a 4-year follow-up for community-based elderly in Sweden. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics 14, pp. 227–237

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pienta, A.M., M.D. Hayward, and K.R. Jenkins (2000). Health consequences of marriage for the retirement years. Journal of Family Issues 21 (5),559–586

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rowe, J.W. and R.L. Kahn (1998), Successful aging. New York: Pantheon Books

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabin, E.P. (1993), Social relationships and mortality among the elderly. The Journal of Applied Gerontology 12 (1), pp. 44–60

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Settersten, R.A. Jr. (2006), Aging and the life course. In: R.H. Binstock and L.K. George (eds.):Handbook of aging and the social sciences. 6th ed. New York: Academic Press, pp. 3–19

    Google Scholar 

  • Shek, D.T. (1995), Gender differences in marital quality and well-being in Chinese married adults. Sex Roles 32, pp. 699–715

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simon, R.W. (2002). Revisiting the relationships among gender, marital status, and mental health. American Journal of Sociology 107 (4), 1065–1096

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suzman, R.M., K.G. Manton, and D.P. Willis (1992), Introducing the oldest old. In: R.M. Suzman, D.P. Willis, and K.G. Manton (eds.):The oldest old. New York: Oxford University Press, pp. 3–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Thoits, P.A. (1983), Multiple identities and psychological well-being: A reformulation and test of the social isolation hypothesis. American Sociological Review 48 (2), pp. 174–187

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • United Nations (2001), World population ageing: 1950–2050. Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. New York: United Nations

    Google Scholar 

  • Waite, L.J. (1995), Does marriage matter? Demography 32, 483–507

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Welin, L., B. Larsson, K. Svardsudd, B. Tibblin, and G. Tibblin (1992), Social network and activities relation to mortality from cardiovascular diseases, cancer and other causes: A 12 year follow up of the study of men born in 1913 and 1923. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 46 (2), pp. 127–132

    Google Scholar 

  • Yu, E.S.H., Y.M. Kean, D.J. Slymen, W.T. Liu, M. Zhang, and R. Katzman (1998), Self-perceived health and 5-year mortality risks among the elderly in Shanghai, China. American Journal of Epidemiology 147 (9), pp. 880–890

    Google Scholar 

  • Zeng, Y. and J.W. Vaupel (2002), Functional capacity and self-evaluation of health and life of oldest old in China. Journal of Social Issues 58 (4), pp. 733–748

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zeng, Y., J.W. Vaupel, Z. Xiao, C. Zhang, and Y. Liu (2002), Sociodemographic and health profiles of the oldest old in China. Population and Development Review 28 (2),pp. 251–273

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zunzunegui, M., B.E. Alvarado, T.D. Ser, and A. Otero (2003), Social networks, social integration, and social engagement determine cognitive decline in community-dwelling Spanish older adults. Journal of Gerontology 58B (2), pp. S93–S100

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology, Cleveland State University, 2121 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44115, USA

    Rongjun Sun

Authors
  1. Rongjun Sun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yuzhi Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Duke University, Durham, NC, USA

    Zeng Yi

  2. Peking University, Beijing, China

    Zeng Yi

  3. Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA

    Dudley L. Poston Jr

  4. Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA

    Denese Ashbaugh Vlosky

  5. Duke University, Durham, NC, USA

    Danan Gu

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2008 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Sun, R., Liu, Y. (2008). The More Engagement, the Better? A Study of Mortality of the Oldest Old in China. In: Yi, Z., Poston, D.L., Vlosky, D.A., Gu, D. (eds) Healthy Longevity in China. The Springer Series on Demographic Methods and Population Analysis, vol 20. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-6752-5_11

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation