Social network and self-rated health among older adults in urban China: Is there a gender difference

Objectives. The few studies that have investigated gender differences in the relationship between social network and health within the Chinese cultural context have found mixed results. Utilizing the “social integration and health conceptual framework”, this study aims to examine how social network influence self-rated health among older adults in urban China and understand whether this relationship varies by gender. Methods. Data used are from the nationally representative study “Sample Survey on Aged Population in Urban and Rural China in 2006”, collected by the China Research Center on Aging. A subsample of adults age 60 and above in urban China (N=8,018) was included in the multinomial logit regression analysis. Results. After adjusting for socio-demographic variables, community involvement, access to health care, health behaviors, functional capacities, and chronic condition, older adults with marginal family ties (i.e., score below the cut-off point on Lubben Social Network family subscale) were 26.1% more likely to report poor health relative to good health (95% CI=1.03, 1.54). Older adults with marginal friend ties (i.e., score below the cut-off point on Lubben Social Network friend subscale) were 35.4% more likely to report poor health relative to good health (95% CI =1.10, 1.67). The results also indicated that the influence of social network on health did not differ by gender. Conclusion. Encouraging and maintaining social network have protective effects on self-rated health among older adults in urban China irrespective of gender. Interventions should focus on strengthening and expanding social connections among older adults in order to improve health outcomes.