ArticleBMC geriatrics2022
Why do older adults living alone in cities cease seeking assistance? A qualitative study in China.
Article in BMC geriatrics, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 14 papers.
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Who cites it
14 citing papers in PubMed.
- Who is more fearful of being dependent? A Blinder-Oaxaca decomposition analysis of rural-urban difference among middle-aged and older Chinese adults.The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences · 2026Article
- Risk factors for falls among older adults in China: a cross-sectional study.BMC public health · 2026Article
- Longitudinal association between domestic elder abuse and depression trajectories among Chinese rural and urban older adults: roles of coping strategies and support networks.BMC public health · 2026Article
- Perioperative nutritional status in cardiac surgery patients: a multicenter observational study in Shanghai, China.General thoracic and cardiovascular surgery · 2026Observational
- Awareness and Use of Home-Based Respiratory Pathogen Testing Services in the Internet Era: Postpandemic Questionnaire Study.JMIR formative research · 2026Article
- Chinese American Pain Experience Project (CAPE): Perceptions, Expectations, and Attitudes on Pain Management among Chinese American Postoperative Patients.Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities · 2025Article
- Relationship between social network characteristics and falls among older adults living alone: an analysis using Zero-inflated negative binomial regression.BMC geriatrics · 2025Article
- Urban Chinese Community-Dwelling Older Adults' Expectations Regarding the Delivery of Integrated Care Through Case Managers: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study.JMIR research protocols · 2025Article
- The impact of living alone on older adults' mental health and the mediating role of healthy diet.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2025Article
- How walkable are our cities for older adults? Mediation of comfort, convenience, and aesthetics.F1000Research · 2025Article
- Preference for care models among older people living with HIV: cross-sectional study.BMC public health · 2023Article
- Immunization coverage, knowledge, satisfaction, and associated factors of non-National Immunization Program vaccines among migrant and left-behind families in China: evidence from Zhejiang and Henan provinces.Infectious diseases of poverty · 2023Article
- The impact of internet use on health status among older adults in China: The mediating role of social support.Frontiers in public health · 2023Article
- Understanding the life experiences of elderly in social isolation from the social systems perspective: using Hong Kong as an illustrating example.Frontiers in psychiatry · 2023Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundAgainst the background of an aging population, older adults living alone in cities are increasingly dependent. However, their use of home and community-based services in China is unsatisfactory. This study attempted to figure out why older adults living alone in cities do not actively seek assistance in China.
methodsIn-depth interviews were conducted. A total of 29 older adults were recruited. Content analysis was used to analyze the interview data.
resultsThree themes were identified. (1) Desire for independence, despite hardship: The lives of older adults involve many inconveniences, but they preferred to solve problems by themselves, instead of asking for help; (2) Desire to not overburden jiaren (meaning family in Chinese): older adults did not want to disturb families or burden children with caring responsibilities. Moreover, previous experience of failing to obtain care made them reluctant to seek help from jiaren; (3) Desire to not bother wairen (meaning people other than family in Chinese): The lack of trust caused by being unfamiliar with wairen, and the fear of being a burden to others if they were not able to reciprocate, made older adults reluctant to seek help from wairen.
conclusionsChanges in social, economic, and demographic structures have led to gradual failure of family care. Older adults accustomed to an "acquaintance society" have not yet adapted to seeking help from the community. When addressing the problem of care for older adults living alone in cities, it is important to focus on the profound impact of social change.
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