2023 Volume 27 Issue 1 Pages 55-64
Purpose: This study clarifies the changes in ikigai-kan (Japanese: the feeling that life is worth living) among older adults participating in social activities during the COVID-19 epidemic.
Methods: An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 598 adults aged 65 or older. Two longitudinal survey studies were conducted after the state of emergency declaration in April 2020. Survey questions were concluded by attribute , health status, mental health, social support, and the ikigai-kan. Participants were divided into healthy and non-healthy groups. Mental health, social support, and ikigai-kan were compared.
Results: Among the 267 respondents, 240 were included for analysis. The healthy older adults (n=184) had a decreased ikigai-kan (P=0.002). Non-healthy older adults (n=56) had improved depression (<0.001) and social support (P=0.003) in the second session compared to the first.
Conclusions: Healthy older adults’ Ikigai-kan decreased when social activities were limited. The depression of non-healthy older adults had alleviated because the social support had been improved by the second session. Therefore, the study suggested the importance of support for non-healthy older adults to participate in ongoing social activities.
