The Moderating Effect of Community Environment on the Association Between Social Support and Chinese Older Adults' Health: An Empirical Analysis Study

BACKGROUND: The aging population conundrum and the gradual weakening of older adults' health and ability to obtain resources as they age have drawn attention to this population's health. Older adults' health relates not only to their own quality of life, but also to the development of families/society. METHODS: We analyzed micro data from the 2011 and 2015 waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study Follow-up Questionnaire, using the probit model, ordinary least squares model, and other methods. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Both formal and informal social support significantly impacted the physical and mental health of Chinese older adults, and the community environment moderated this relationship. To build a reasonable and effective social support system for older adults and improve their health, we suggest that stakeholders should continue to strengthen the formal and informal social support provided to older adults; they should also build a community-based care system, which will allow for the moderating role of community environment on the relationship between social support and older adults' health. Family and social support factors are important for older adults' health. We should enable the moderating role of community environment on the relationship between social support and health to be fully exerted, as well as build a community-based pension system.