Abstract
Social participation is associated with health in later life, but the relational processes giving it personal significance require explanation. Relational Recognition Theory (RRT) distinguishes group recognition, the perceived confirmation of membership, from individualized recognition, the perceived confirmation of personal value. Perceived contribution expresses this experienced value rather than independently verified productive output. The theory proposes that membership provides opportunities for expression and acknowledgment, connecting participation to health and well-being. Cross-sectional survey data from 985 adults aged 60 years and older in two Beijing communities were analyzed using measurement-model comparisons and structural equation modeling. Group-related items referred to groups or associations; interviews contextualized participants' organizational experiences. The two-dimensional recognition model fit better than a single-dimensional model. The standardized sequential indirect effect was .162, with a bias-corrected 95% confidence interval of [.112, .218]. It remained positive after education and income adjustment and across four health outcomes. Community comparisons identified differences in some pathways. The findings provide initial individual-level evidence consistent with RRT. The theory explains how accepted membership can support experienced personal value as roles and capacities change, informing recognition-oriented social work without making productive performance a condition of being valued.