Factors influencing mutual support among older people in China: A Cross-Sectional Study

Lichun Xu ^1,2,3* Liyu Lin ⁴ Xiaojin Huang ^4* Aixuan Guan ^5* Lianfang Cheng ^5* Yicen Zheng ^5* Shuyi Zhang ^6*

• ¹ Department of Nursing,, Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian Province, China
• ² Xiamen Nursing Quality Control Centre, Xiamen,, China
• ³ Xiamen Nursing Association, xiamen, China
• ⁴ Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
• ⁵ School of Nursing, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
• ⁶ School of Nursing, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China

Background: Mutual support in old age care fully respects the autonomy and initiative of the elderly, and has become a practical option for solving the problem of mutual support in old age in China. This study investigates the willingness of Xiamen's elderly community members to participate in mutual support and scientifically examines the influencing factors behind this willingness.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that collected data from September 2023 to January 2024. The study population consisted of 502 elderly people from Xiamen, China, selected using a convenience sampling method. A self-designed questionnaire was used to conduct the survey. Binary logistic stepwise regression analysis was used to determine the influencing factors.The binary logistic stepwise regression analyses showed that being in a community that regularly organizes activities for the elderly, occasionally participating in community-organized activities for the elderly, being willing to accept help from other elderly people, being willing to provide help to other elderly people, and not living alone were more likely to participate in mutual support.The government and community organizations should play a role in guiding and safeguarding policies, while also strengthening the promotion of mutual support within the community. Additionally, they should provide targeted and demand-driven mutual support services for the elderly, promoting sustainable and healthy development of mutual support for older people to improve their quality of life and well-being.