Social networks reshape the impact of elder abuse on social well-being: a national longitudinal analysis of urban-rural disparities in China

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the association between elder abuse, changes in older adults’ social networks, and changes in social well-being among rural and urban community-dwellers in mainland China. A total of 7,125 participants (aged ≥60 years) were selected. This study conducted regression analyses to assess how exposure to elder abuse in 2018 affected subsequent changes in social networks and social well-being among older adults by 2020. We found that the victims who reported the abuse had better social well-being after two years compared to those who did not report. Among rural victims, a novel association was identified between elder abuse, reduced contact with friend network, relative emotional networks, and decreased social well-being. Conversely, among urban victims, elder abuse was associated with an expanded friend instrumental network and improved social well-being. Our findings underscore the critical role of social networks in reshaping the impact of elder abuse on social well-being.