Factors Affecting Life Satisfaction by Gender and Age of Middle-aged and Elderly

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyse factors affecting life satisfaction by gender and age of the middle-aged and elderly over 50 years old empirically, and then to discuss implications for the findings. The findings of this study are summarized as follows. First, demographic and sociological factors affecting life satisfaction of middle-aged and elderly over 50 years old are different by gender and age. education of 60s male and 50s, over 80s female, married 50s~70s male and 50s female, number of child of 50s female, region of 50s female have positive effect on their life satisfaction statistically significantly. Second, economic factors affecting life satisfaction of middle-aged and elderly over 50 years old are different by gender and age. Household income of 50s male and over 60s female, paid work of 50s male and female, preparation for retirement of 50s~60s male and female, real estate ownership of 50s~70s male, having financial assets of 50s and 60s male have positive effect on their life satisfaction. And liabilities of 50s~70s male and 50s and 60s female have negative effect on their life satisfaction. Third, leisure factors affecting life satisfaction of middle-aged and elderly over 50 years old are different by gender and age. Religious activities of 60s male, working out of 60s male, traveling of over 50s male and 50s, over 70s female, friendship activities of 50s, over 70s male have positive effect on their life satisfaction. Fourth, health and activities of daily living functions of middle-aged and elderly over 50 years old are different by gender and age. Physical health of from over both 50s male and female have positive effect on their life satisfaction. negative mental health of over 60s male and over 50s female, ADL of 60s female, IADL of 70s male, and 50s, 70s, and over 80 female have negative effect on their life satisfaction.