Abstract: Using multiple waves of data from the Chinese Longitudinal Health and Longevity Survey,this study examines the relationship between age and life satisfaction among the elderly in China.We found that age has both negative effects and positive effects on elderly life satisfaction with the positive effects overweighing the negative ones.Consequently,life satisfaction goes up with age.The positive impact of age on self-reported life satisfaction primarily results from age maturity effect.

Keywords: Chinese Elderly, Age, Life satisfaction, Two-direction Effects, Effect Decomposition

摘要： 用2002、2005、2008年中国高龄老人健康长寿调查数据,考察了年龄对老年人生活满意度的影响。研究发现,年龄因素影响老年人的生活满意度自评。年岁的上升对老年人的生活满意度既有积极影响也有消极影响。对于老年人来说,年龄对生活满意度的正向作用超过了负向作用,因此,老人的年龄越大,生活满意度评价越积极。进一步考察了年龄积极作用三个可能的来源,包括年龄成熟效应、同期群正效应、存活效应,发现年龄的积极作用主要是由年龄的成熟效应引致的。

关键词: 老年人口, 年龄, 生活满意度, 双向效应, 效应分解