The influence of intergenerational support on the subjective wellbeing of the older population: the moderating effects of community environment and filial expectation

Guided by the ecological systems perspective, this study investigates how intergenerational support is associated with the subjective wellbeing (SWB) of the older population in China, emphasizing the interplay between family and community environments. Using nationally representative data from the 2020 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), we systematically examine the effects of financial, instrumental, and emotional support on the SWB of the older population. The results indicate that self-efficacy serves as a significant mediator in this relationship, while filial expectation and community environment act as important moderating factors. Specifically, a favorable community environment can partially compensate for insufficient intergenerational support, thereby enhancing the older population wellbeing. These findings reveal the dynamic interaction between familial and community resources, extending the ecological understanding of older population wellbeing and offering empirical insights for community-based health interventions and family support policies in aging societies.