Factors Related to the Life Satisfaction of Elderly Baby Boomers: An Analysis of the 2020 Korean National Survey of Elderly

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of this study was to ascertain the level of life satisfaction among baby boomers in South Korea, as well as the factors that influence it. Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis and descriptive research using data from the 2020 Korea National Survey of Elderly. From a total of 10,097 individuals, we analyzed the responses of 605 who provided feedback on life satisfaction, applying sample weights for accuracy. Data analysis was performed using hierarchical multiple regression in the SPSS/WIN 23.0 program. Results: The study's participants comprised 61.8% women, 80.2% individuals with a living spouse, and 54.8% high school graduates, and the participants had an average subjective health status score of 3.77 points. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed several significant factors impacting life satisfaction. These included the presence or absence of a spouse (p<.001), education level (p<.001), subjective health status (p<.001), experience of suicidal thoughts after the age of 60 (p=.004), and use of a smartphone or tablet (p=.037), degree of social respect (p<.001) and the degree of preparation for death (p=.001). The overall explanatory power for life satisfaction was 57.5%. Conclusion: The life satisfaction of baby boomers did not differ greatly from that of previous generations of older adults. A future longitudinal study should observe changes in older adults' life satisfaction. Additionally, it is important to explore variations in life satisfaction across different age groups, especially given the increasing longevity of older adults.