The Effect of Mahjong/bridge intellectual sports on the Subjective Well-being of Middle-aged and Older Adults: An Empirical Analysis from the Mixed Cross-Section Data of CHARLS in China

Qi-Fei XIA ¹ Guoyou Qin ^2* Fei-Long Yang ¹ Zheng Li ³

• ¹ Ankang University, Ankang, Shaanxi, China
• ² Hanjiang Normal University, Shiyan, Hubei Province, China
• ³ Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China

As China's population ages, intellectual sports have become a key leisure activity with a significant impact on the subjective well-being of middle-aged and elderly individuals. These activities promote social engagement, counteract the "empty nest" phenomenon, and offer a pathway to successful aging.This study utilized mixed cross-sectional data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), encompassing 36,934 adults aged 45 and above. The relationship between intellectual sports, such as mahjong and bridge, and subjective well-being was analyzed using ordinal logistic regression modeling.Participation in mahjong and bridge was positively associated with subjective well-being, a finding that remained consistent across multiple regression tests. Social interaction and cognitive ability emerged as critical mediators, enhancing well-being through increased social engagement and cognitive stimulation. Retirement status moderated this relationship, with retired individuals showing a stronger propensity to engage in these activities, thereby boosting their well-being. It is noteworthy that this positive impact was more pronounced among women and rural and eastern participants.This study elucidates the mechanisms through which mahjong and bridge influence the subjective well-being of middle-aged and elderly Chinese individuals. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, suggesting that promoting diverse cultural and sports activities within elderly communities could foster socialization, prevent cognitive decline, and ultimately enhance well-being.