The effect of social activity and social support on life satisfaction in older adults: Mediating role of social exclusion and moderating role of working status

Abstract

This study examined how perceived social support and social activities affect life satisfaction, with a focus on the mediating role of social exclusion. Participants included 509 adults (55.8 % female) aged 55 and above. Participants completed the online versions of the Active Aging Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, the Social Exclusion Scale, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. The findings indicated that perceived social support from family and significant others, along with engagement in social activities, were positively related to life satisfaction and negatively associated with social exclusion. Social exclusion also mediated the relationships between perceived social support, social activities, and life satisfaction, even when accounting for sociodemographic, economic variables, and health perceptions. Additionally, the results showed that employment status moderated these associations. The study suggests that social support and social activities help alleviate deficits in informal social support, environmental exclusion, and material deprivation, thereby enhancing life satisfaction.