“I Need the Company of My Peers”: A Mixed-method Study Among Community-dwelling Elderly in China Running Title: I Need the Company of My Peers

Abstract Background: To study the importance of peers in Chinese older adults’ lives and explore their peer interaction perceptions. Methods: A mixed-methods study was undertaken among the community-dwelling elderly in Chongqing, China. First, a self-administered nomination survey was carried out (n=340) to detect current peer network features. Second, we conducted semi-structured interviews (n=19) to explore the experience and perspectives on peer interaction of the elderly. Results: 67.10% of social network members who have the most contact with participants were peers, and 85.47% of these peers were within the age difference of 10 years old compared with participants. In the interview, three themes were revealed: motivation, preference and barriers, and impact of peer interaction on the individual's health.Conclusions: Peers make up the vast majority of Chinese older people’s social networks. Older people’s preference for the company of peers deserves greater attention and community support to improve their health and well-being.