Effects of Leisure Participation on Life Satisfaction in Older Korean Adults: A Panel Analysis

South Koreans’ life expectancy has dramatically increased over the last four decades. However, the life satisfaction index of older Korean adults has been in the bottom third globally. The large majority of older Koreans spend most of the day watching television at home. However, concrete evidence r...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of environmental research and public health 2020-06, Vol.17 (12), p.4402
Main Authors: Yoon, Hyejin, Lee, Won Seok, Kim, Kyoung-Bae, Moon, Joonho
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adults
Age
Aging
Baby boomers
Data analysis
Happiness
Information services
Leisure
Life expectancy
Life span
Mental disorders
Mental health
Objectives
Older people
Participation
Population
Psychological factors
Quality of life
Recreation
Regression analysis
Religion
Society
Studies
Suicides & suicide attempts
Television
Variables
Well being
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Summary:South Koreans’ life expectancy has dramatically increased over the last four decades. However, the life satisfaction index of older Korean adults has been in the bottom third globally. The large majority of older Koreans spend most of the day watching television at home. However, concrete evidence regarding the effects of leisure involvement on older adults’ quality of later life is scant. Only a few existing studies have examined the link via cross-sectional survey data. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate whether meaningful leisure participation outside the home in older age plays an essential role in improving life satisfaction. To achieve the research aim, nationally representative panel data from the Korea Employment Information Service were used for the data analysis. The results indicated that social and productive leisure participation in religious activity, social gatherings, and volunteering was significantly related to quality of life in older adults. Moreover, frequent participation in travel and cultural activities outside the home were positively related to life satisfaction. These findings suggest that participation in meaningful leisure activities is a critical factor contributing to subjective well-being and good mental health in older Korean adults and should be encouraged.
ISSN:1660-4601
1661-7827
1660-4601
DOI:10.3390/ijerph17124402