The relationship between sense of a life worth living and local self-governance: A cross-sectional study

Aging populations are facing increasing health problems, with social conditions often exacerbating such maladies. Although local self-governance might effectively solve these problems, such civic participation can increase citizens' mental and physical fatigue, which, in turn, may decrease their sense of leading productive lives.

This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between citizens' participation in and perceptions of local self-governance and their sense of life worth living. The study was conducted in Unnan City, which is located in the southeastern part of Shimane Prefecture. A questionnaire measuring local self-governance and participant backgrounds was distributed. Completed questionnaires were collected between March 1 and 31, 2018. A binomial logistic regression model was used.

Of the distributed questionnaires, 38.5% (769/2000) were completed and returned. Responses from women and those over 65 years of age comprised 54.2% (417/769) and 35.1% (270/769) of the completed questionnaires, respectively. Analysis of the data using binomial logistic regression showed that age (≥65), health management, social interaction, learning habits, and interest in local self-governance were significantly correlated with a sense of life worth living (odds ratio for the variables were 0.56 (P = .002), 2.58 (P < .001), 3.05 (P < .001), 2.51 (P < .001), and 1.61 (P = .009), respectively).

Promoting local self-governance may lead to a better sense of life worth living for citizens of rural communities. Therefore, when assessing the effectiveness of local self-governance regarding citizens' sense of life worth living, their interest in local self-governance should be taken into consideration.