Trajectories of Social Participation Among Older Chinese Adults: The Role of Care Environments in a National Longitudinal Study

Guided by the Ecological Model of Aging and Person-Environment fit, this study identified longitudinal trajectories of social participation among older Chinese adults and examined how care environments shape them. Using Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey data (2008-2018, N=2015), group-based trajectory modeling and logistic regression were applied. Two trajectories emerged: "lower-declining" (54.1%) and "higher-stable" (45.9%). Financial security (OR = .55, p < .001) and emotional support (OR = .30, p = .034) reduced the likelihood of the lower-declining trajectory, consistently across genders. Strengthening financial protection and social support networks beyond household-based care can sustain social participation in later life. .