THE EFFECTS OF FUNCTIONAL HEALTH-STATUS ON THE EVERYDAY LIFE OF OLDER-PEOPLE IN JAPAN

The effects of functional health status on socio-psychological aspects of everyday life were analysed with data from 2,255 Japanese persons aged 55 years and over, The sample was randomly selected from the resi dents' registration (response rate was 75.2%). The socio-psychological variables were self-rated health, working status, frequency of going out, leisure activities, social networks, social supports, and subject ive well-being Health status had significant and positive effects on t hese variables when the effects of age, gender and educational attainm ent were controlled The results seem to confirm the notion that health status is the pivotal condition of quality of life in old age and age ing.