Mediating effect of social exclusion and life satisfaction on the relationship between economic constrains and participation in healty aging among elderly

This study aims to examine the impact of economic constraints older individuals face on participation in healthy aging through the variables of life satisfaction and social exclusion. The study was designed based on a causal relational research model. The study sample consists of 514 individuals aged 60 and over living in Istanbul and selected by a convenience sampling technique. Data were collected through the Socio-Demographic Information Form, Economic Limitations Scale, Social Exclusion Scale in the Elderly, Life Satisfaction Scale, and Participation in Healthy Aging Scale. The data were analyzed using SPSS 25 and PROCESS Macro (Model 4). In the research model, economic constraints were included as an independent variable (X), participation in healthy aging as a dependent variable (Y), and life satisfaction (M1) and social exclusion (M2) as mediating variables. According to the results of the analysis, the effects of economic constraints on life satisfaction and social exclusion were examined. Economic constraints were found to have a significant and negative effect on life satisfaction (β=-,123; p <,001) and a significant and positive effect on social exclusion (β=,665; p<,001). Moreover, the direct effect of economic constraints on participation in healthy aging is also significant and negative (β=-,183; p <,001). When indirect effects are examined, it is seen that xvi the effect of economic constraints on healthy aging participation is reduced through life satisfaction (β=,769) and social exclusion (β=,368). These findings suggest that life satisfaction and social exclusion play a partial mediating role in the relationship between economic constraints and healthy aging. However, it is concluded that the indirect effect through life satisfaction is stronger than the indirect effect through social exclusion.