Resilience, Social Participation Including Mutual Support, and Subjective Quality of Life Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Population ageing has increased the importance of maintaining the quality of life (QOL) of community-dwelling older adults. Resilience and social participation are considered important determinants of well-being in later life. However, little is known about how social participation involving mutual support relates to subjective QOL in Japanese community settings. This study examined associations between resilience and social participation, including mutual support and subjective QOL, among community-dwelling older adults. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted in December 2021 among community-dwelling older adults in Japan. The study sample mainly comprised socially active older adults recruited through senior citizen clubs. Anonymous self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 434 individuals aged 65 years and older, and 258 valid responses were analysed. Subjective QOL was assessed using the Subjective QOL Scale, resilience using the Resilience Scale for Older Adults, and social participation, including mutual support, using a composite score based on neighbourhood relationships and participation in community activities. Results: Subjective QOL was positively correlated with resilience (ρ = 0.475, p < 0.001) and social participation including mutual support (r = 0.163, p = 0.009). After adjustment for self-rated health, the number of outpatient visits per month, and the number of daily medications, the association between subjective QOL and social participation including mutual support was no longer significant (pr = 0.104, p = 0.096), while resilience remained significantly associated with subjective QOL (pr = 0.417, p < 0.001). Participants with higher levels of social participation had significantly higher subjective QOL and resilience scores than those with lower levels of participation. Conclusions: In this study sample, resilience was more strongly associated with subjective QOL than social participation including mutual support. These findings highlight the importance of individualised community-based approaches that address both psychological resilience and opportunities for social participation when promoting well-being among older adults.