The relationship between sense of a life worth living and local self-governance: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Aging populations are facing increasing health problems, with social conditions often exacerbating such maladies. Although local self-governance might effectively solve these problems, such civic participation can increase citizens’ mental and physical fatigue, which, in turn, may decrease their sense of leading productive lives. Methods: This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between citizens’ participation in and perceptions of local self-governance and their sense of life worth living. The study was conducted in Unnan City, which is located in the southeastern part of Shimane Prefecture. A questionnaire measuring local self-governance and participant backgrounds was distributed. Completed questionnaires were collected between March 1 and 31, 2018. A binomial logistic regression model was used. Results: Of the distributed questionnaires, 38.5% (769/2000) were completed and returned. Responses from women and those over 65 years of age comprised 54.2% (417/769) and 35.1% (270/769) of the completed questionnaires, respectively. Analysis of the data using binomial logistic regression showed that age (≥65), health management, social interaction, learning habits, and interest in local self-governance were significantly correlated with a sense of life worth living (odds ratio for the variables were 0.56 (P =.002), 2.58 (P