Productive aging encourages older adults to continue engaging in productive activities after retirement. While many studies with Chinese data discuss this Western concept, its fit for the Chinese context is debated. Moreover, scant attention has been given to the combination of different types of activities simultaneously and the potential shifts throughout the “post-retirement” years. To fill these gaps, this study adopts data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) to understand the trajectories of productive aging among Chinese older adults. Employing the growth mixture modeling, five distinct trajectories – caregivers, double-burden carriers, low engagers, declining workers, and steady workers – are identified to encapsulate the dynamic productive statuses of this population. Findings highlight the consistent role of caregiving among the elderly, especially in the caregivers and double-burden groups, while work engagement generally shows a declining trend. Notably, traditional gender roles play a pivotal role, with women being less likely to engage in work compared to men. Socioeconomic determinants, particularly rural household registration (hukou) status, influence the productive aging process, prompting considerations on voluntariness of post-retirement working. Additionally, family dynamics, wealth, and health are found to exert significant influences on these trajectories. This research underscores the necessity of a nuanced, culturally-sensitive understanding of productive aging, with implications for policy and future research. Findings and perspectives of this study resonate with other Asian contexts where cultures and norms regarding old age productivity differ from their western counterparts.

Authors:
Xinyi Chen, National University of Singapore, Singapore

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Xinyi Chen is a University Postdoctoral Fellow or Instructor at National University of Singapore in Singapore

See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule

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