关键词: 家庭结构变动, 农村老年人, 死亡风险, 年龄差异, 追踪数据

Abstract: This study utilizes the longitudinal survey data to investigate the age group differences in the impact of changes in family structure on the mortality risk of rural older adults. The results show that ‘always being in a linear family’ significantly reduced the mortality risk of older adults. ‘Changing from a linear family to a one-person family or a conjugal nuclear family’ resultes in a decline of the mortality risk of the older adults under age 75 while lead to an increase after controlling the intergenerational support and health condition. It also increases the mortality risk of the older adults above age 75. ‘Changing from a one-person family or a conjugal nuclear family to a linear family’ significantly reduces the mortality risk of the older adults above age 75. The results reveal that Chinese society is in a period of transition and coexistence of traditional and relatively modern family structures. Changes in family structure based on respect and care for life that meet the multi-dimensional care needs of the older adults benefit the health and life expectancy of older adults. Supporting the health development of younger older people under the changes of family structure will also lead to better health conditions when they grow much older in the future, thus further promote the realization of a healthy aging society in China.

Keywords: Family Structure Changes, Rural Elderly, Risk of Mortality, Age Difference, Longitudinal Data