Abstract

In the present study, we analyzed the 3rd and 4th data from the Korean Retirement and Income Study: KReIS for verifying the longitudinal model of life satisfaction among the Korean middle and older adults(50 years and over). Through this, we were willing to explain the correlation between time flow and life satisfaction among the middle and older adults with prolonged average life expectancy. We examined how two factors of successful aging-physical & psychological health-explain life satisfaction and the mediating effects of the preparation agency for old age(financial independency, major role of planning for old age, living expenses for old age) and interpersonal relationship satisfactions(friend, family, marital relationships) from preceding research. We also identified gender differences in each path. First, the results indicated that physical & psychological health had significant effect on the Korean middle and older adults’ life satisfaction. And the study result supported partial meditating model explaining preparation agency for old age and life satisfaction with interpersonal relationship. Second, there was significant gender difference between psychological health and life satisfaction. For men, psychological health directly explains life satisfaction and it was possible to explain with preparation agency for old age and interpersonal relationship. But for women, psychological health and life satisfaction is not directly related, but just meditating effects of preparation agency and interpersonal are applied. Third, women participants showed lower means all of the factors as compared with men; it means poor quality of life in terms of physical, psychological and financial aspects. This result emphasizes the importance of interpersonal relationships and preparation agency, including both physical and psychological health. And for women, especially, the importance of social relationship is more emphasized. We discussed implications and limitations in counseling and policy approaches for life satisfaction of older life.