[Perceptions of community-based connectedness with people among older individuals and related factors]

Objectives　Social isolation among older individuals whose living environment is changing is an issue that should be addressed. Retirement, social inclusion (SI), and building connections with community-dwelling individuals are important for preventing social isolation. Particularly in the case of older adults, it is important to clarify their subjective connections with community-dwelling individuals to build connections with them. The aim of this study was to clarify older adults' perceptions of community-based connectedness and related factors.Methods　The participants, 800 men and women in their 70s and 80s living in urban areas, were surveyed in February 2024 using a self-administered, anonymous postal questionnaire. The survey items included attributes, perceptions of community-based connectedness, social networks (SN), SI, and community relationships. Multiple regression analysis using the forced entry method was conducted, with perceptions of community-based connectedness with people as the dependent variable; SN, SI, and community relationships as independent variables; and attributes as covariates.Results　We collected 338 questionnaires and 316 valid responses (valid response rate: 39.5%). The participants' mean age was 79.0 ± 5.4 years, and 172 (54.4%) were men. The mean score for perceptions of community-based connectedness with people was 83.4 ± 17.6, with minimum and maximum scores of 36 and 131, respectively. Multiple regression analysis showed that SN (standardized partial regression coefficient (β) = 0.124, P = 0.012) and SI "connectedness" (β = 0.132, P = 0.023), SI "participation" (β = 0.100, P = 0.047), and community relationships (β = 0.469, P < 0.001) were significantly asso-ciated with perceptions of community-based connectedness with people.Conclusion　The subjective connectedness of older adults was related to the objective connectedness of SN and SI in terms of "connectedness" and "participation." The results suggested that the perception of the community as a whole as connected is related to older adults' perceptions of community-based connectedness with people. We concluded that the spread of individual behaviors within the community and improvements in overall community quality are linked to perceptions of community-based connectedness.