Association of Social Participation with Life Satisfaction Among Adults in Super-aged Japanese Communities: A Cross-Sectional Study

Japan’s rapid population ageing calls for evidence on which social activities best support well-being. We examined the associations between five types of social participation and life satisfaction in two super-aged Japanese “new towns.”

A cross-sectional questionnaire was delivered to all households in early 2022; 1,353 adults responded. The weekly frequency of volunteering, sports or exercise groups, hobby clubs, learning circles, and skills-sharing groups was recorded on a six-point scale and converted to times per week. Life satisfaction was measured with a single yes/no item. Bayesian logistic regression estimated Odds Ratios (ORs) for being satisfied with life per one unit increase in weekly participation, adjusting for residential area, age, sex, cohabitation, subjective health, and long-term care certification. Analyses were also stratified by sex and by age.

More frequent volunteering was linked to higher life satisfaction (OR 2.44; 95 percent credible interval 1.21 to 6.70). Sports or exercise participation showed a positive association (OR 1.36; 95 percent credible interval 1.06 to 1.83). Hobby clubs, learning circles, and skills-sharing activities had no clear relationships. Associations were stronger in men and in adults aged 65 years or older.

Volunteering and group exercise may enhance life satisfaction through meaningful social roles, expanded social networks, and improved mood, especially for older men who lose work-based ties after retirement. Leisure-oriented activities yielded limited additional benefits.

Promoting volunteering and organized physical activity appears to enhance life satisfaction among older adults. Further longitudinal and intervention studies are needed to validate causality and guide effective community programs.