Subjective Socioeconomic Status, Class Mobility and Health Disparities of Older People

Abstract

The aim of this study is threefold: (1) investigate the impact of subjective socioeconomic status on the health of older people with a further exploration of its extent, (2) explore the relationship between diverse class mobility trajectories and health disparities among older people, and (3) examine the health disparities among older people with different subjective socioeconomic statuses in groups of various class mobility. The data for this study came from the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) of 2017, and regression and moderation models are used. The results indicate that for each level of increase in the subjective socioeconomic status of older people, the health score significantly increased by 0.159. The health status of older people who experienced upward class mobility is significantly better than those who did not; therefore, different class mobility trajectories also shape health disparities. The moderation role of class mobility on the impact of subjective socioeconomic status on the health of older people is also confirmed. The results provide further support for the subjective socioeconomic status having a significant impact on the health of older people with different class mobility trajectories. An upward class mobility trajectory somewhat diminishes this influence. Therefore, policy interventions should be provided to enhance the subjective socioeconomic status of older people and increase their opportunities for upward class mobility.