Multidimensional Trajectories of Social Adaptation Among Chinese Older Adults: Heterogeneous Pathways Shaped by...

Social adaptation is critical for healthy aging, yet few longitudinal studies examine multidimensional social adaptation trajectories and its' predictors among Chinese older adults. Using four-wave panel data (2014-2020) of 1,990 older adults, we applied latent growth and group-based trajectory models to map social adaptation developmental patterns. Personal development adaptation exhibited a nonlinear declining trajectory, while ideological-cultural adaptation fell into four subgroups: gradual decline, stable low, initial decline with subsequent stabilization, and sustained moderate-to-high adaptation. Baseline education and self-rated health positively predicted initial personal development adaptation levels. Cognitive function showed consistent positive longitudinal effects on personal development adaptation and heterogeneous predictive links to ideological-cultural subgroup membership. Depressive symptoms negatively predicted personal development adaptation and only predicted membership in the sustained high-adaptation ideological-cultural subgroup. Friendship had no significant predictive effect on two dimensions. This study confirms domain-specific heterogeneity in older adults' social adaptation and offers empirical evidence for targeted active aging interventions.