[A longitudinal study on social support and life satisfaction among Japanese elderly]

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of social support on life satisfaction among Japanese elderly aged 60 and over (N = 1,285), using the longitudinal data of a national representative sample. An initial survey was carried out in 1987, and a follow-up was conducted in 1990. We measured life satisfaction by the Life Satisfaction Index A. Social support was measured from two aspects, providing support and receiving support. The impact of social support and changes in support during a period of three years on life satisfaction were assessed by sex after controlling for influences of socioeconomic status, physical functioning, and initial life satisfaction. Providing support predicted a high life satisfaction three years later only in females. Receiving support was not significantly associated with life satisfaction for either males or females. However changes in providing and receiving support had a significant impact on life satisfaction of the elderly. The findings of this study suggest that the effects of social support on life satisfaction differ by sex and the impacts of changes in support are strong determinant predicting life satisfaction of the elderly.