Early-Life Hunger and Willingness for Institutional Care: Evidence From the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey

This study investigates the association between early-life hunger and the willingness for institutional care using data from the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS). The empirical results indicate that early-life hunger is significantly associated with a lower willingness among older adults to enter care institutions. Heterogeneity analyses reveal that this negative association is particularly pronounced among low- and middle-income groups, individuals with sons, and the cohort exposed to famine during childhood. Furthermore, by incorporating traditional cultural factors into the analytical framework, the study finds that the intensity of regional Confucian culture acts as a moderator, reinforcing the negative relationship between early-life hunger and the willingness for institutional care. These findings enrich the literature on the long-term correlates of early-life adversity and suggest that policymakers should focus on improving the service quality of care institutions while simultaneously strengthening family support functions.