The number of older adults is steadily increasing amid the global trend of population aging. By the end of 2020, China had approximately 260 million individuals aged 60 years and above, accounting for 18.7% of the total population. It is projected that by 2050, the older population in China will peak at 487 million, representing 34.9% of the national population (1). In the context of accelerated population aging, the productive engagement of older adults has emerged as a vital strategy for achieving sustainable development goals and enhancing individual well-being (2). This concept has shifted the discourse on aging from a welfare-based to a development-oriented perspective, recognizing older individuals as valuable human resources rather than societal burdens (3).

Productive engagement is defined as any paid or unpaid activity that generates goods or services with social or economic value (4, 5). Previous studies have demonstrated that such engagement, including unpaid work, promotes healthy aging, reduces the incidence of disability and chronic disease, and enhances physical and psychological well-being, including life satisfaction (6, 7). These benefits contribute to relieving the pressure of aging on healthcare systems. Moreover, productive engagement fosters familial and societal welfare and mitigates fiscal pressures associated with a growing older population (2).

Despite the presence of opportunities, participation rates in organized productive roles remain suboptimal in many urban regions, with an estimated 30–50% of older adults not consistently involved (3). Existing programs are primarily limited to traditional volunteer services, lacking diversification into skill-based or technology-oriented roles that may better reflect the evolving interests and capacities of modern older adults (8). Individual characteristics serve as critical determinants of engagement: those with better physical, cognitive, and functional health are more likely to participate in diverse activities (9–11). The influence of educational attainment remains inconclusive. While higher education may enhance employability due to increased human capital (9, 12), it may also reduce employment necessity by improving retirement security (13, 14). Furthermore, social participation and paid employment exhibit a bidirectional relationship, where the former supports continued occupational involvement (9, 12). Economic necessity [e.g., financial needs (15)] and intergenerational responsibilities [e.g., caregiving and grandparenting (10, 11)] constitute core motivators of productive engagement. Such engagement not only directly promotes healthy aging by lowering disability rates, delaying disease progression, and improving psychosocial well-being and life satisfaction (7), but also yields macro-level societal benefits—such as reducing the burden on healthcare systems and easing financial strain through enhanced family support and the accumulation of social capital. Nevertheless, the psychological and cognitive mechanisms underlying these behaviors remain insufficiently explored.

Expectations Regarding Aging (ERA) refer to older adults’ perceived standards for physical and mental functioning in later life. That is, ERA reflects anticipated benchmarks for healthy aging and embodies individuals’ beliefs about aging and its outcomes (16). The level of ERA is closely associated with active daily engagement, particularly with participation in life-course activities (17). ERA serves as a key driver of active and healthy aging by influencing health-promoting behaviors, healthcare-seeking practices, and preventive health decision-making (18, 19). It is also significantly associated with individuals’ physical function, cognitive abilities, psychological well-being, and social involvement (20–22). Notably, Chon et al. (23) demonstrated the high plasticity of ERA: older adults with positive expectations are more inclined to engage in social activities, and early interventions can facilitate the development of realistic and optimistic views about aging, thereby enhancing the aging experience.

Existing research has largely emphasized the influence of objective factors—such as health status and economic conditions—on productive engagement, with limited attention to psychological and cognitive variables. Furthermore, most studies have adopted unidimensional constructs (e.g., subjective age or general attitudes toward aging) to assess older adults’ perceptions of aging and their associations with health behaviors or volunteering (24). Although informed by lifespan developmental theory (25), this approach does not capture the multidimensional and potentially multidirectional nature of aging perceptions (26, 27). Self-perceptions of aging may differ across physical, psychological, and social functional domains. Additionally, the potential moderating role of cultural context remains insufficiently addressed. To bridge these gaps, the present study introduces the multidimensional construct of “expectations regarding aging” as a key psychological variable to elucidate mechanisms influencing productive engagement among older adults, thus offering new directions for targeted interventions.

This study examined the association between expectations regarding aging and productive engagement in community-dwelling older adults. The overall score for aging expectations was moderate, with the highest mean score observed for mental health and the lowest for cognitive function. All four dimensions—physical health, mental health, cognitive function, and functional independence—were positively correlated with productive engagement (p < 0.05). Among these, mental health exerted the strongest influence, followed by cognitive function and physical health.

Approximately 66% of participants were aged between 60 and 69 years, and 78% reported receiving pension benefits. The results indicated that productive engagement declined with increasing age, consistent with the findings of Sia et al. (2). Participants aged 60–69 generally exhibited better physical health and were more actively involved in social activities aimed at fulfilling their self-worth. Moreover, individuals financially dependent on their children demonstrated significantly lower levels of productive engagement compared to those receiving pensions. Previous studies have shown that older adults with financial stability are more likely to participate in social activities, facilitated by improved living conditions and more optimistic outlooks on aging (35). In contrast, financial dependence on children often correlates with reduced decision-making autonomy within the family, contributing to diminished productive engagement (36).

Family caregiving emerged as the predominant form of productive engagement, with a mean score of 39.38 ± 6.55. More than 85% of participants reported involvement in caregiving activities such as looking after grandchildren, whereas fewer than 15% engaged in paid work or volunteer activities. This trend reflects the enduring influence of traditional intergenerational support norms in Chinese society (37). Motivated by collectivist values, older adults often prioritize family needs over personal pursuits, and are associated with the predominance of family-centered productive engagement (2, 37). In the Chinese cultural context, the family plays a vital role in the lives of older adults, with Confucian notions of filial piety profoundly influencing intergenerational interactions and support patterns (38, 39). Older adults are not only care recipients but also active care providers (40). They generally regard family caregiving as a form of “productive engagement,” a pattern that reflects the persistence of collectivist values. Previous studies have indicated that approximately 65% of grandparents in urban China are regularly involved in grandchild care. Such intergenerational care not only alleviates the childcare burden of their adult children but also provides older adults with a continued sense of role meaningfulness and purpose in life (41, 42). Studies by Silverstein and Zuo et al. (43) suggest that limiting caregiving duties to no more than 30 h per week can help older adults maintain a balance between their own needs and familial responsibilities. In light of these findings, several policy recommendations are proposed: At the community level, mutual-aid networks and dedicated activity spaces should be established to promote peer support and social engagement, while culturally appropriate programs that integrate social participation alongside family caregiving should be developed. At the family level, intergenerational appreciation for elders’ caregiving roles should be fostered through emotional recognition and shared responsibilities. At the governmental level, childcare support systems should be enhanced through parenting subsidies, expanded public childcare services, and flexible work arrangements for younger parents, thereby alleviating caregiving burdens on the older adults and promoting intergenerational equity. In addition, efforts should be made to promote the culture of “productive engagement in later life,” leveraging media and educational institutions to highlight the diverse roles older adults play within both family and society, thereby fostering a social environment for active aging that honors family responsibilities while encouraging personal development.

The results also showed that over half of the older adults cohabited with a spouse, 9.6% lived alone, and 13.4% lived with both spouse and children. Participants living alone reported significantly lower levels of productive engagement, consistent with the findings of Liu and Lou (44). Qualitative studies (45) have shown that older adults living with family report higher levels of well-being and satisfaction when engaging in productive activities. In contrast, those living alone more frequently report social isolation and reduced confidence in their health, factors that are associated with lower willingness to participate in social activities and lower levels of productive engagement. To support productive aging, it is essential to encourage solitary older adults to engage in meaningful activities and to implement tailored strategies to increase their participation.

In the present study, the mean score for ERA among community-dwelling older adults was 42.42 ± 7.36, indicating a moderate level and lower than the results reported by Zeng et al. (46). This difference may be attributed to variations in participants’ socioeconomic conditions, such as living environments, healthcare accessibility, and the comprehensiveness of social security systems.

Among the four ERA dimensions, mental health scored the highest, consistent with findings by Zhao (17). This dimension reflects expectations related to psychosocial adjustment and social interaction. In this study, 90.4% of participants lived with a spouse and/or children, benefiting from stable family ties and community integration. Such social embeddedness likely mitigates feelings of loneliness and psychological distress, thereby contributing to higher mental health scores. Conversely, cognitive function and physical health received lower scores, corroborating the results of Zeng et al. (46). These findings suggest that community-dwelling older adults tend to prioritize mental well-being over physical or cognitive capacity. While positive psychosocial adaptation may be supported by accessible leisure opportunities, reliable healthcare, and stable living conditions, the inevitable nature of age-related decline—such as memory deterioration and physical degeneration—often fosters negative self-perceptions. The tendency to attribute physical and cognitive limitations to normal aging is associated with the neglect of health maintenance and delayed medical intervention, ultimately accelerating health decline (47).

Future policies should prioritize economic and healthcare support to improve physical health and cognitive function among older adults, while simultaneously fostering a supportive social environment that addresses their mental health expectations. Early interventions, such as meditation, audiovisual exercises, and memory training, may enhance aging-related expectations. Previous studies have demonstrated that expectations regarding aging are highly modifiable (48). Therefore, systematic training programs and public health campaigns should be implemented to cultivate optimistic perspectives on aging, thereby empowering older adults to proactively manage age-related changes and achieve active and healthy aging.

Pearson correlation analysis revealed significant positive associations between productive engagement and all four dimensions of expectations regarding aging (physical health, mental health, cognitive function, and functional independence) among community-dwelling older adults, with mental health exhibiting the strongest correlation. This may be attributed to individuals with higher mental health expectations adopting more optimistic attitudes toward aging. Such optimism is associated with both greater motivation for proactive social participation and higher levels of productive engagement (47). The results of the regression analysis indicated that all four dimensions of expectations regarding aging exerted positive predictive effects on productive engagement. Together with demographic variables, these factors explained 40.4% of the variance in productive engagement, thereby verifying the study’s hypothesis and confirming that expectations regarding aging are significant determinants of productive engagement among older adults in community settings.

Higher aging expectations among community dwelling older adults showed positive correlations with better mental wellbeing, physical health, and cognitive function. They were also linked to more proactive health maintenance and more active social engagement, which are key features of productive aging. In contrast, older adults with lower expectations regarding aging tended to show reduced willingness to socialize, lower levels of social participation, and underuse of social resources. These were associated with lower levels of productive engagement. These findings are consistent with those of Andrews et al. (49), who reported that older adults who maintain high expectations for themselves are more inclined to engage in activities beneficial to their physical and mental well-being. Such participation contributes to enhanced quality of life in later years and facilitates the realization of personal value through productive aging (50). Community-dwelling older adults with higher expectations regarding cognitive function and functional independence often demonstrate superior abilities in activities of daily living, reduced dependency, and a greater capacity for productive engagement. According to expectancy-value theory, an individual’s motivation to engage in productive activities is influenced by both their expectations regarding successful participation and the value they assign to those activities (51).

To promote active aging, the implementation of multi-level strategies is essential. When formulating and implementing relevant strategies it is essential to base them on China’s unique family culture and social structure while recognizing family care as a critical component of productive engagement. A systematic approach should be adopted to develop and expand multi-level participation pathways for older adults spanning from family and community to broader societal engagement. This will establish a cohesive and mutually reinforcing system that supports sustained involvement across different domains of life. At the national level, fostering positive societal perceptions of older adults requires the expansion of inclusive social participation platforms and the reinforcement of policy safeguards that support productive engagement. Policy design should ensure cultural adaptability, supporting older adults in maintaining their family roles while also facilitating their broader social integration and value creation. Community-level initiatives should include the establishment of senior talent hubs equipped with skills-matching systems, allowing older adults to register their expertise and access volunteer or employment opportunities. Within families, it is critical to provide older adults with autonomy and encouragement to strengthen their sense of self-efficacy. Additionally, leveraging media and educational institutions to normalize and promote elder participation in productive activities will help establish an age-inclusive social ethos, thereby advancing sustainable and equitable pathways toward active aging.

This study investigated the influence of expectations regarding aging on productive engagement among community-dwelling older adults. The findings indicated that both aging expectations and productive engagement were at moderate levels, suggesting potential for improvement. All four dimensions of aging expectations were positively correlated with productive engagement, and these expectations demonstrated a significant predictive effect, consistent with the study’s hypotheses. Furthermore, productive engagement was influenced by both individual characteristics and aging expectations, with age, number of children, living arrangements, and primary income source identified as key predictive factors.

Based on these findings, it is recommended that community administrators implement targeted interventions to enhance older adults’ aging expectations, thereby improving their productive engagement. Such efforts can contribute to the effective utilization of the older population’s human resources and promote the realization of productive aging.