Gender differences in the impact of residential mobility on subjective well-being in later life: Evidence from Guangzhou, China

In recent decades, China has experienced rapid urbanisation and institutional transition. Most studies do not test the complex impact of residential mobility at different life course stages on subjective well-being in later life, especially in the context of this rapid transition of Chinese society. Using the complete residential mobility history of 772 people aged over 60 years obtained from a survey conducted in Guangzhou in 2016, this study analyses gender differences in the impact of residential mobility on subjective well-being in later life through accumulation models and sensitive period models of life course. The results show that there is a clear graded relationship (gradient descending) between the accumulation of residential mobility at different stages of the life course and subjective well-being in later life for men, which supports the accumulation model. Middle age (45-59 years) is the sensitive period for men's residential mobility, which has an independent positive impact on their subjective well-being in later life. However, there is no evidence to support the accumulation model for women. Middle age (45-59 years) and old age (60+ years) are the sensitive periods for women's residential mobility, with independent negative effects on their subjective well-being in later life. The mechanism of the different impacts for men and women and the implications are discussed in the context of Chinese society.