“Sunlight” illuminates “empty nests”: the influence of social participation on the multi-dimensional health of empty-nest elderly in China

To investigate the health of China's empty-nest elderly and the impact of social participation behaviour, quantity and types on their health. This national panel data used data from the China Family Panel Studies conducted in 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022. The relationship between social participation and multidimensional health among empty-nest elderly was examined using a two-way fixed-effects model and instrumental variables. The mean health index for China's empty-nest elderly stands at 0.02, with physical health averaging 0.63, mental health at 26.62, and self-rated health at 2.48. Compared to empty-nest elderly lacking social participation, those with social participation exhibit superior health index, physical health, psychological health, and self-rated health (all P < 0.01). The quantity of social participation correlated with better health index, physical health, mental health, and self-rated health among empty-nest elderly. Economic participation and family participation correlated with better health outcomes among empty-nest elderly. Social participation has a positive effect on the health of empty-nest elderly. The influence of economic participation and family participation on the health of empty-nest elderly is more prominent. • Social participation boosts multidimensional health of empty-nest elderly. • Greater participation quantity correlates with better health outcomes. • Economic and family participation types show the strongest benefits.