Chang (Rita) Yu
Research Interests: Medical Sociology, Life Course and Aging, Chronic Pain, Cognitive Health, Quantitative Methods, Data Harmonization
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Education:
BM: Public Administration, 2019, Hunan Normal University
MA: Sociology, 2022, University at Buffalo, SUNY
Recent Courses Taught:
Social Research Methods
Basic Statistics for the Social Sciences
Bio: My research focuses on leveraging longitudinal datasets to explore topics in life course and aging, guided by key principles of life course theory, such as “linked lives,” “timing,” and “life-span development.” In the realm of “linked lives” and “timing,” I have conducted studies examining the relationship between social participation and older adults’ health. Notably, my recent publication in The Gerontologist demonstrates that social participation in midlife predicts better cognitive trajectories in later life, even after accounting for childhood factors, though it does not significantly predict slower cognitive decline among older Chinese adults. Additionally, an ongoing project employs propensity score analysis to assess the extent to which the relationship between volunteering and subjective well-being is influenced by contextual factors, socio-economic resources, health conditions, and social roles. My findings highlight that this association remains robust, even with an approximate 20% decline; 2) the benefits of volunteering are particularly pronounced for individuals with low socioeconomic status, aligning with resource multiplication theory. Furthermore, I explore intergenerational relationships and their impact on parental depression in multi-child aging families, guiding by the “linked lives” principle.
Beyond the Chinese context, I am investigating the effects of chronic pain on cognitive health among middle-aged and older adults in the U.S. My research identifies pain interference—such as its impact on mood, enjoyment, activity, sleep, and relationships—as a mediator in the association between pain locations and cognitive health among individuals with chronic pain.
Lastly, I am interested in exploring different methodologies. For example, I am interested in innovative approaches to research. My dissertation utilizes integrative data analysis and data harmonization to study cognitive trajectories across multiple datasets. Additionally, I am exploring the application of AI to enhance the validity and reliability of scoping review methodologies.
Recent Publications:
Qian Liu, Yuanyuan Wu, Chang Yu, Yaolin Pei. 2024. "Social Activities and Depressive Symptoms Among Migrant Middle-aged and Older Adults in China: A Network Analysis." Frontiers in Psychology. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1376180
Chang Yu, Ashley B. Barr. Forthcoming. "Social Activities and Dimensions of Cognitive Functioning Across Mid- and Late-Life: Evidence from China." The Gerontologist.
Selected Conference Presentations:
Chang Yu, Yuanyuan Wu, Kristen S. Lee. "Voluntary Participation and Life Satisfaction among Chinese Older Adults: A Propensity Score Analysis." Poster session presentation at the Population Association of America Annual Conference, Washington DC, 2025
Chang Yu, Ashley B. Barr, Yulin Yang, Hanna Grol-Prokopczyk. "Chronic Pain, Pain Interferences, and Cognition Among Middle- and Old-aged Americans: A Fixed-effects Analysis." Poster session presentation at the Gerontological Society of America, Seattle, WA, 2024
Chang Yu, Ashley B. Barr, Hanna Grol-Prokopczyk. " Functional Limitations, Depressive Symptoms, and Cognition Across Mid- and Late-Life: Evidence from China." Poster session presentation at the Gerontological Society of America, Seattle, WA, 2024
Chang Yu, Ashley B. Barr. "Social Activities and Dimensions of Cognitive Functioning Across Mid- and Late-Life: Evidence from China." Roundtable session presentation at the American Sociological Association Annual Conference, Montreal, Canada, 2024
Chang Yu. "Cognition Changes Among Chinese Middle Aged and Older Adults, 2013-2018: Disparities and Correlations." Regular presentation at Center for Social Research, Peking University, Beijing, 2023
Chang Yu, Yulin Yang, Hanna Grol-Prokopczyk "Gender, Stress and Cognition Among Middle- Aged and Older Adults in the United States." Roundtable session presentation at the American Sociological Association Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA, 2023
Chang Yu, Hanna Grol-Prokopczyk. "The Relationship between Social Participation and Cognitive Function Among Middle-Aged and Older Chinese: A Network Analysis." Poster session presentation at the Population Association of America Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA, 2023
Chang Yu, Hanna Grol-Prokopczyk. "The Relationship between Social Participation and Cognitive Function Among Middle-Aged and Older Chinese: A Network Analysis." 19th Annual Celebration of Student Academic Excellence Student Showcase, State University of New York at Buffalo, 2023
Email: cyu33@buffalo.edu