ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influencing factors on the happiness of community-dwelling older adults in Korea. METHODS: A convenience sample of older adults (N=191) who did not enrolled in any specific exercise programs participated in this cross-sectional correlational study. The data were collected from July to August, 2017. Participants were asked to respond to fill questionnaires including depression, physical activity, and happiness. Physical activity was classified according to physical activity scores(inactivity, minimally activity, health enhancing physical activity). Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, independent t-test, χ² test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and hierarchical multiple regression with SPSS (ver. 24.0). RESULTS: The influencing factors on happiness were depression (β=−.64, p < .001), physical activities (minimally activity=1; β=−.15, p=.014), and religion (have=1; β=.10, p=.029). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that the determinant variables accounted for 58% of the variation in the happiness (F=53.37, p < .001). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that depression, physical activity and subjective health status influence the happiness of older adults who did not involved in any exercise program. Effective healthcare programs for managing depression and increasing the level of physical activity could increase the level of happiness among older adults.