A Study on the Role of the Elderly in Mutual-Help System : Social Support and its Relation to Well-Being(Applied Social Systems Theory)

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to discuss the possibilities of a mutual-help system to increase alternative resources and structures which internalizes the elderly not as dependent receivers but as independent providers. This paper is designed to empirically investigate social support and its relations to the well-being of the elderly, which involves perspectives of reciprocity between receiving and providing social support. The data for analysis was obtained through the questionnaire method from 279 senior citizens sixty years or older living in Osaka. Significant findings are as follows: (1) The condition of providing social support is significantly related to the LSIK (Life Satisfaction Index K) as well as the receiving of social support is. Yet this is not simply in proportion to the amount of support, but in accordance to the norm of reciprocity. (2) As a result of multiple classification analysis, the condition of reciprocity on social support, financial satisfaction and health conditions significantly influence the degree of LSIK for the elderly. Based on the above results, the motivation of the elderly to join social support was confirmed. It should be proposed that communities and organizations promote to make programs to accept the elderly as providers of social support in order to build a mutual-help system.