The Impact of Social Trust on Life Satisfaction Among Chinese Middle-Aged and Older Adults: The Role of Volunteering and Educational Attainment

Abstract

Drawing on data from the 2023 Chinese Social Survey (CSS), the study investigates the effect of social trust on life satisfaction among middle-aged and older adults in China, with particular attention to the mediating role of volunteering and the moderating role of educational attainment. The findings demonstrate that social trust exerts a significant positive impact on life satisfaction in later life, and that volunteering mediates this association. Moreover, educational attainment positively moderates the relationship between social trust and volunteering. These findings highlight how strengthening social trust and broadening educational opportunities can promote volunteering and enhance middle-aged and older adults’ life satisfaction amid rapid population aging.

Keywords

social trust education attainment life satisfaction volunteering older adults

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