The Effect of Community Participation on Subjective Well-Being in Community Dwelling Elders with Physical Health Challenges

Previous research found correlations between health and life satisfaction, health and community participation, and community participation and life satisfaction. The current project investigates the confluence of these three variables, specifically whether life satisfaction can be balanced in those with decreased health by increasing the amount of time spent participating in the community. Using a sample of community dwelling elders from five counties in central Illinois, a mediation analysis was run to confirm the relationships between each of the three variables and to determine whether community participation arbitrated the relationship between physical health challenges and life satisfaction. Results of this study can be applied as evidential support for increasing life satisfaction by increasing participation in the community in those with physical health challenges. Alternative exploratory models may be used, as well, to further investigate direct effects between the variables