Chen Dong, Petrie Dennis, Tang Kam, Wu Dongjie
School of Economics, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
Centre for Health Economics, Monash University, Clayton, Australia.
Health Promot Int. 2018 Oct 1;33(5):801-811. doi: 10.1093/heapro/dax029.
The Chinese population is aging rapidly while both the pension system is underdeveloped and the traditional family care arrangement is in retreat. This article's objective is to assess the relationship between concerns over retirement saving sufficiency and the mental health status of middle-aged and older Chinese adults, and identify the socioeconomic and demographic profile of those with insufficient retirement savings. A survey from about 2000 respondents collected information on self-assessed physical and mental health status based on the EQ-5D-5L framework, self-assessed longevity, retirement plans and financial preparedness and socioeconomic status. Multivariate ordered logistic regressions are used to identify the relationship between mental health status, financial preparedness for retirement and self-assessed longevity, as well as socioeconomic factors associated with mental health status and financial preparedness for retirement respectively. It is found that 59% of the respondents thought that they have not saved, or will not be able to save enough for their retirement. For these people, the odds of having less anxiety or depression are 0.36 (95% CIs: 0.16-0.43) times lower than those who are financially prepared. Having more external sources of financial assistance including family and governments, did not help ease mental distress. Rural people are half as likely to be financially prepared for retirement, regardless of whether they remain in rural areas or migrate to cities. Health promotion strategies should consider the role for financial planning in improving mental health.
中国人口正在迅速老龄化，而养老金体系不发达，传统的家庭养老模式也在衰退。本文旨在评估对退休储蓄充足性的担忧与中国中老年人心理健康状况之间的关系，并确定退休储蓄不足人群的社会经济和人口特征。一项对约2000名受访者的调查收集了基于EQ-5D-5L框架的自我评估身心健康状况、自我评估寿命、退休计划、财务准备情况以及社会经济状况等信息。多元有序逻辑回归用于确定心理健康状况、退休财务准备与自我评估寿命之间的关系，以及分别与心理健康状况和退休财务准备相关的社会经济因素。研究发现，59%的受访者认为自己没有储蓄，或者无法为退休储蓄足够的资金。对于这些人来说，焦虑或抑郁程度较低的几率比财务状况有准备的人低0.36倍（95%置信区间：0.16 - 0.43）。拥有包括家庭和政府在内的更多外部经济援助来源，无助于缓解精神痛苦。无论农村居民是留在农村还是迁移到城市，他们为退休做好财务准备的可能性只有一半。健康促进策略应考虑财务规划在改善心理健康方面的作用。
