Factors influencing life satisfaction in middle-aged women in South Korea: A descriptive research using panel data

Abstract

Background & Aim: Life after middle age accounts for almost half of the life cycle, along with global increases in life expectancy; it is important to manage the life satisfaction of middle-aged women as they transition from adulthood to old age. This study sought to investigate the life satisfaction of middle-aged women and identify the factors affecting them in various ways.

Methods & Materials: As secondary research, sample data were sourced from the 2016 Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging -sixth wave of KLoSA- by the Ministry of Employment and Labor and the Korean Employment Information Service in Korea.

Results: Factors affecting the life satisfaction of middle-aged women include individual factors such as religion, household income, marriage, and educational background (all p<.05); health-related factors such as depression and smoking; family-related factors such as frequent contact with nonresident children; and socio-cultural factors such as leisure activity or trips (all p<.05).

Conclusion: The life satisfaction and influencing factors for middle-aged women identified in this study should be used as a basis for successful and healthy aging preparation in women’s health policy.