The Effects of Role Type on the Life Satisfaction of the Elderly in Rural Areas

The purpose of this study was to investigate the role types that affect the life satisfaction of the elderly in rural areas. The research subjects were 1,000 people aged 65 years and over living in the rural areas of Korea. The data were analyzed using frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, and multiple regression analysis. The results of the study were as follows: First, as a result of substituting the role of rural elderly people into the role type of Rosow, the family role was drastically decreased, the health and self-management roles were increased and the social role was not changed much. In other words, the role type of the rural elderly supported the hypothesis proposed by Rosow. Second, life satisfaction was affected by monthly living expenses, social role, educational level, gender, farm, and religion. In order to improve the life satisfaction of the rural elderly, it is necessary to build programs and infrastructures that can play social roles in rural areas.