Linking perceived social mobility to health and happiness in China: Insights from inter- and intra-generational and prospective perspectives

Numerous studies have primarily concentrated on the disparities in health and well-being based on objective measures of social mobility across various countries with conflicting views. Recent focus and debate have been directed toward the subjective dimension of social mobility. Beyond the conventional focus on intergenerational and intragenerational mobility, I incorporate a third form of prospective mobility while differentiating between their upward and downward trajectories as well as varying degrees of change in social status. This study analyzes subjective perceptions of social mobility by different forms, directions, and distances in contemporary China and investigates their relationships with health outcomes and happiness. Using pooled data from eight waves of the Chinese General Social Survey, this study employs multiple scales to assess perceived mobility, distinguishing it from previous research that typically depends on a singular survey question. Results support the theories of “Fall from Grace” and “Rising from Rags” on the role of intergenerational mobility on health and happiness, as well as the influence of prospective mobility on health alone. However, the detrimental impacts of intragenerational upward and downward mobility on health are consistent with the dissociation hypothesis. The findings on varying degrees of mobility among the three forms of perceived social mobility further shed light on the significance of distance in connection to mobility. The findings also advance the state of knowledge in intergenerational mobility by comparing its effect with that of intragenerational and prospective mobility on health and happiness. • All forms of perceived mobility are significantly linked to health and happiness. • Intergenerational mobility has the most pronounced “Rising from Rags” effect. • Intragenerational mobility has the most pronounced “Falling from Grace” effect. • The link between intragenerational mobility and health supports dissociation theory. • No evidence supports acculturation theory.