International Journal of Psychological Studies Effects of Social Activities outside the Home on Life Satisfaction among Elderly People Living Alone
Abstract
This study aims to test the following two hypotheses. First, the life satisfaction of the elderly is not directly
affected by their resident status. Second, guided by activity theory and symbolic interaction theory, social
activities outside the home (paid work, unpaid work, and hobby/leaning activity) have a greater effect on life
satisfaction for elderly people living alone than those living with family members. Participants were 1,774
elderly people who had participated in courses for the elderly to learn various topics, with a final study sample
size of 1,539 after flawed survey sheets were removed. T-test findings showed that resident status did not directly
influence life satisfaction. A multi-group structural equation model analysis verified that unpaid work has a
greater effect on the life satisfaction of the elderly living alone than the one of elderly living alone. These results
suggest that unpaid work acts as a buffer effect to decreased life satisfaction.
affected by their resident status. Second, guided by activity theory and symbolic interaction theory, social
activities outside the home (paid work, unpaid work, and hobby/leaning activity) have a greater effect on life
satisfaction for elderly people living alone than those living with family members. Participants were 1,774
elderly people who had participated in courses for the elderly to learn various topics, with a final study sample
size of 1,539 after flawed survey sheets were removed. T-test findings showed that resident status did not directly
influence life satisfaction. A multi-group structural equation model analysis verified that unpaid work has a
greater effect on the life satisfaction of the elderly living alone than the one of elderly living alone. These results
suggest that unpaid work acts as a buffer effect to decreased life satisfaction.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
International Journal of Psychological Studies ISSN 1918-7211 (Print) ISSN 1918-722X (Online)
Copyright © Canadian Center of Science and Education
To make sure that you can receive messages from us, please add the 'ccsenet.org' domain to your e-mail 'safe list'. If you do not receive e-mail in your 'inbox', check your 'bulk mail' or 'junk mail' folders.