Modern Social Science Research

Against the backdrop of Hainan Free Trade Port development, this study investigates the mechanisms linking loneliness among seasonal elderly migrants to their social participation and social support. Utilizing stratified sampling data from 608 elderly migrants in Sanya, an ordered logistic regression analysis revealed the following: (1) Social participation significantly affects loneliness but exhibits a "quality-culture mismatch" effect. High-frequency engagement in low-quality activities (e.g., recreational card games) may increase loneliness risks among highly educated individuals. (2) Educational attainment amplifies dual exclusion through digital literacy disparities, with low-educated groups experiencing 2.89 times higher loneliness prevalence than their highly educated counterparts. (3) While social support lacks direct significance, its fragmented networks diminish participation efficacy; short-term migrants (<1 year) suffer a 42% reduction in participation benefits due to the "annual depletion" of social capital. The study identifies structural contradictions underlying mental health challenges: language barriers, seasonal service gaps, and institutional support deficiencies collectively create a "participation paradox." Recommendations include establishing tiered community engagement systems, implementing "digital empowerment + culturally adaptive" interventions, and innovating cross-cyclical support policies to mitigate mental health risks associated with mobile aging, offering empirical insights for managing transient populations in free trade port contexts.

Seasonal elderly migrants; Loneliness; Social participation; Social support; Hainan Free Trade Port