Health-Related Behaviors in the Elderly: A Comprehensive Investigation of Gerontology Care Models and the Role of Social Support

Objectives. How geriatric care models impact the health-related behaviors of the elderly and the function of social support within this context. Methods. We conducted binary logistic regression and PSM-DID analyses using data from the China Tracking Survey of Factors Influencing Elderly Health (CLHLS) and the China Health and Aging Tracking Survey (CHARLS). Results. Compared to living alone, other aging models negatively affected health behaviors. In the living with family model, parental intergenerational support attenuated these effects, while children’s financial support reduced negative impacts on health-protective behaviors. In the institutional model, negative effects on health-hazardous behaviors were exacerbated by emotional and social support. Loneliness and a lack of self-worth were crucial pathways. Discussion. Governments should offer public services to alleviate the intergenerational support burden on older individuals and strengthen social support for them.