The Impact of Social Status on Promoting Sustainable Work Development from the Perspective of Social Sustainable Development: An Empirical Analysis from China

The issue of work sustainability is a crucial component in the advancement of sustainable development in Chinese society. The present study integrates the theories of sociology and psychology in order to construct a new analytical framework for work sustainability. The present study utilised the 2022 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) to investigate the impact of social status (SS) on the sustainable development of work (SDW). A total of 23,665 data points from 25 provinces were analysed, with the mediating effect of media use and intergenerational and regional heterogeneity also analysed. The study found the following: Firstly, social status significantly and positively affects the degree of SDW, with individuals in high social status positions enhancing their sense of occupational control through the accumulation of resources. Secondly, media use partially mediates the relationship between social status and SDW, with social comparison and access to information as the core transmission paths. And thirdly, there is significant intergenerational and regional heterogeneity, with the middle-aged and the elderly, and individuals from the eastern region, more significantly affected by social status. This study offers novel insight into the mechanism of the sustainable development of work and psychological well-being in the digital age, providing a theoretical foundation and practical inspiration for the sustainable development of society.