Population Research

Can Internet Use Promote the Social Adaptation Level of Older Adults? An Analysis Based on the Perspective of Different Usages

Du Peng, Luo Yesheng

2023, 47(6): 3-20.

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There are distinct internal differences in the use of internet among older adults, and different ways of using internet can also have different impacts on them. From a typological perspective, using data from the 2020 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS), this study analyzes the heterogeneous impact of different types of internet usage among Chinese older adults on their social adaptation level. It is found that using internet can significantly promote the social adaptation level of older adults, but the degree of promotion depends on the type of internet usage. The comprehensive type benefits the most from Internet use, while the social-news type benefits the least. However, the difference among the social-news type, social type, and social-entertainment type is not significant. Among the older adults who access internet, there is a “J-shaped” connection between the hierarchy of internet usage and the social adaptation level of older adults. In addition, older adults with higher level of education benefit more from using Internet. To strengthen the construction of a digitally inclusive ageing society, this study suggests that precise measures should be taken to cope with the differences in internet usage among older adults, strengthen cyberspace governance, and improve the digital and information literacy of older adults.

The Working Life Expectancy of the Older Population in Rural China and Its Regional Differences from 2010 to 2020

Zhang Wenjuan, Chen Lu

2023, 47(6): 21-34.

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Based on the data from the population censuses and the 1% population sampling survey, this paper analyzes the trend of working life expectancy and its regional differences of the rural older population in China from 2010 to 2020. The results indicate that the proportion of working people among the rural older population has been declining since 2010, and their working life expectancy has decreased steadily while their non-working life expectancy has increased. The study also reveals significant gender and regional disparities in the working life expectancy of the rural older population: older males, and those residing in agriculturally developed and population-outflowing areas have a longer working life expectancy and less leisure time in their later lives. There are five typical patterns of working life expectancy extension for the rural older population, which are closely linked to the living standards, willingness to work, labor capacity, and working environment of the older population in the region. The research serves as an inspiration for authorities and society to empower rural older workers while providing them with a well-designed and powerful economic safety net.

Substitute or Supplement? The Impact of Home-based Care Services on Intergenerational Support of Chinese Older People

Sun Juanjuan, Tian Jiayin, Chen Yuxin

2023, 47(6): 35-50.

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Both of the home-based care services for older people and the function of old-age support by family have been integrated into the national strategy of actively responding to ageing. However, more in-depth studies are necessary to explore the effects of home-based care services on family support for the older people. Based on a counterfactual framework and using the 2018 and 2020 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS) data, this paper employs a combination of propensity score matching and difference-in-differences methods to measure the influence of home-based care services on family intergenerational support. The results show that home-based care services for the older people have a significant negative impact on their family intergenerational support, to a certain extent, replacing the instrumental support provided by adult children. Moreover, this substitution effect is more significant among the relatively vulnerable elderly group. The empirical results also suggest that the effect of home-based care services on family intergenerational support does not significantly reduce the intergenerational relationships of older adults, and that the overall functioning of family care is maintained. Therefore, in order to promote the mutual integration and positive interaction between social care services and family care, the support for the family care provided by home-based care services should be strengthened.

Trajectory of Mental Health among the Rural Older People: Based on the Longitudinal Survey in Rural Areas of Anhui

Gao Li, Li Shuzhuo

2023, 47(6): 51-64.

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Based on the stress process theory and life course theory, this paper studies the trajectory of mental health of the rural elderly by using the longitudinal data obtained from the survey “Well-being of Elderly in Anhui Province” from 2001 to 2018. The results show that age trajectory of mental health of the older people in rural areas follows a curvilinear pattern. With the increase of age, the life satisfaction of the older people increases at first and then decreases, while the depression increases. The cohort trajectory of life satisfaction follows an inverted U-shaped pattern,and the depression follows a U-shaped pattern. The cohort groups born earlier and later have the lower life satisfaction and the higher depression level, while the middle cohort groups born in the first half of 1930s have the highest level of life satisfaction and the lowest level of depression. Marriage and work stage have some influence on the mental health of the rural older people.The rural older people who are women, or with lower income or more negative life events have poorer mental health. The rural older people with better self-rated health, higher financial support or more emotional connection have better mental health.

The Limitations and Future Prospects of Formal Demography in Contemporary China

Wang Xuehui, Peng Xizhe

2023, 47(6): 65-77.

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With the socioeconomic development and transformation, China's demographic changes have showed various unique cultural characteristics and strong contemporary features. Many concepts, indicators and theories in formal demography can hardly be used to accurately analyze and interpret China's population development. The main problems lie in the inadequate temporal relevance of some demographic analytical indicators and their lack of effective localization. These indicators include those in the fields of population ageing, population migration, and family studies. The Chinese path of modernization and rapid demographic transition has provided rich empirical scenarios for the innovative developments in demography. The future development of Chinese demography should be based on the inheritance of the formal demography achievement and the incorporation of the new features in the new era. Meanwhile, it should also follow the principles of topicality, localization, expansion and internationalization to innovate or reconstruct the formal demographic index system and theoretical frameworks, continuously promote the establishment of an autonomous knowledge system in Chinese demography and contribute Chinese wisdom to the development of demography worldwide.

The Shift of Marriage and Procreation Culture in China and Its Demographic Consequences

Shi Renbing, Wang Jun

2023, 47(6): 78-90.

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Previous studies on the shifts of Chinese marriage and procreation culture did not reveal the essential characteristics of various cultures or the deep-seated socio-economic background. Based on the examination of mainstream societal values, this study reveals that in traditional Chinese society, people's marriage and procreation behaviors were deeply influenced by Familism. This dominant familism marriage and procreation culture adores “perpetuating the family line”, “early and abundant childbirth” and “more children bring more blessings”. With the establishment and development of socialist market economy, Materialistic values have spread in contemporary China. Materialism is gradually replacing Familism, becoming the new dominant force in marriage and procreation culture. Materialism culture of marriage and procreation, at its core, is a culture of low fertility. It exerts influence on individuals' attitudes and behaviors related to marriage and procreation through a series of intermediate factors, resulting in attitudes of “unwillingness to have children” “daring not to give births” and “inability to have children”. To achieve a moderate fertility level, it is necessary to weaken the influence of Materialism and shape a healthy society that is characterized by individual autonomy and a sense of community.

Trends and Characteristics of Male Marriage Squeeze in China

Guo Zhen, Yang Liuqing, Liang Haili, Li Shuzhuo

2023, 47(6): 91-106.

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Using data from China's 7th Census and previous census data since 1990, this paper analyzes the trends and characteristics of marriage squeeze among men in recent decades. Results show that the marriage squeezes among men and its consequences have significantly manifested. The sex ratio of marriageable population has sharply increased from 2010 to 2020, and it is projected to peak at 116.13 by 2036. Unlike in the past, when the phenomenon was primarily concentrated in socio-economically underdeveloped regions, the surplus of never married men in economically developed areas with high urbanization rates becomes apparent. The marriage squeeze among men leads to substantial gender disparities in first marriage probabilities, with significantly lower probabilities of first marriage for men compared to women and a substantial increase in the expected number of years for never married men to get married. The scale of rural involuntary bachelors remains elevated, with urban areas experiencing a growing population of involuntary bachelors. The urban never married men aged 45 and above increased from 1.76 million to 3.88 million from 2010 to 2020. Involuntary bachelors have relatively limited economic resources, increased reliance on minimum subsistence allowance, and a rising proportion of unhealthy and solitary life in old age.

Period and Cohort Analysis of Inter-provincial Lifetime Migration in China

Zhou Hao, Lei Linxuan

2023, 47(6): 107-125.

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Birthplace information is crucial for migration studies, enabling identification of lifetime migrants. Using data from 2000, 2010, and 2020 censuses, this research depicts inter-provincial lifetime migration in China, outlines national- and provincial-level migration trends, directions, and age patterns. The results suggest that lifetime migration reflects historical and contemporary migration, while the historical marks gradually fade. Its spatial distribution shows the characteristics of diffusion for the places of origin and diffusion-and-concentration for the destinations, while China's population remains relatively static. Cohort analysis highlights that lifetime migration has a cumulative effect over time and is closely associated with life events. The study concludes that birthplace information has a unique research perspective distinct from others, and calls for further research on the conditions and causal mechanisms of bidirectional migration flows.

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