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The spillover effects of formal social support on vulnerability to poverty among rural older adult households: a risk ‘shock-response’ perspective

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Background: Mitigating vulnerability to poverty among rural older adult households remains a critical challenge for developing countries striving to achieve poverty reduction goals. While the role of formal social support in alleviating rural poverty is recognized, the specific mechanisms through which it mitigates vulnerability among rural older adult households have not been sufficiently explored. Methods: Using longitudinal data from the 2018-2022 waves of the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), this study examines how formal social support affects the vulnerability to poverty among rural older adult households from a risk "shock-response" perspective. We categorize formal social support into preventive social support (PSS), risk mitigation social support (MSS), and safety net social support (SSS), while further investigating its spillover effects and regional heterogeneity. Results: (1) formal social support significantly reduces vulnerability to poverty among rural older adult households; (2) a positive spillover effect exists, wherein formal social support fosters non-economic support provided by adult children and neighbors; and (3) this spillover effect exhibits significant regional heterogeneity, being notably weaker in Northeast China compared to other regions. Conclusion: These findings underscore the criticality of understanding formal support mechanisms to optimize social support systems and refine poverty reduction governance. Particularly in the context of population mobility, these insights are vital for alleviating vulnerability to poverty among rural older adult households in China and addressing broader challenges of rural poverty in developing countries.

Source: Frontiers in Public Health

DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2025.1710527

Authors: Cui Fu, Zhiren Tan, Jun He

Institutions: Nanjing Agricultural University, Beijing Institute of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Aging, Elder Care, and Social Issues

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: No poverty, Reduced inequalities, Good health and well-being, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,801