Elucidation of the lifestyles and examination of psychosocial support models of older adults in semi-marginal villages

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K03237
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 10020:Educational psychology-related
• Research Institution: Mejiro University
• Principal Investigator: KAWANO Rie 目白大学, 心理学部, 教授 (40383327)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 河野 保子 人間環境大学, 松山看護学部, 教授 (80020030) ; 中島 紀子 人間環境大学, 松山看護学部, 教授 (20325377)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 高齢者 / 生活満足度 / 孤独感

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study examined psychosocial support for fulfilling lives of older adults living in semi-marginal villages. The results indicated that self-assessment of health had positive effects on younger-old and older-old adults’ life satisfaction (QOL) and mediated by the effects of social lifestyle and social communication. Moreover, loneliness had negative association with younger-old and older-old adults’ life satisfaction (QOL). On the other hand, there were differences between the younger-old and older-old in terms of physical conditions, such as the presence or absence of illness and the influence of psychological lifestyle on life satisfaction (QOL). Currently, this semi-marginal village face the issue of weakening human relationships due to the death of relatives and friends. It is necessary to aim to provide support that helps people to see things in a positive way and become aware of their affinity with others.

Free Research Field

老年心理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

現在の我が国は、世界のどの国も経験したことがない未曾有の少子高齢多死社会を迎えており，準限界集落や限界集落という地域の存続やあり様が問われている。
本研究は準限界集落に焦点をあて、地域で生活をする高齢者の諸特性や課題を明確にし、心理的、社会的に健やかで充実した老年期を過ごすための要因を明らかにしている。これは高齢者が住み慣れた地域でよりよい生活を継続させていく上で重要な知見であり、意義があると言える。また、本研究の結果は、準限界集落に含まれている地域、あるいはこれから含まれていく地域における総合的な支援策を検討していくためにも重要である。