Self-Perceived Health Among Older Adults Participating in Social Activities: Subjective Health Status and Health Satisfaction

Abstract

This study aims to estimate the relationship between the degree of participation in social activities and subjective health status and health satisfaction among older adults by using an ordered logit model. We used data from ‘A Survey of the Elderly 2020’, conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. We categorized older adults through cluster analysis using questions related to social activity participation. As a result of the cluster analysis, three clusters were identified: individuals who ‘actively participate,’ ‘usually participate,’ or ‘rarely participate’ in social activities. The estimation results showed that older adults who actively participated in social activities rated their subjective health more positively and had the highest health satisfaction. Based on these results, we can emphasize the importance of establishing elderly welfare policies that can increase subjective health levels among older adults.