The relationship between sense of a life worth living and local self‐governance: A cross‐sectional study

BACKGROUND: Aging populations are facing increasing health problems, with social conditions often exacerbating such maladies. Although local self‐governance might effectively solve these problems, such civic participation can increase citizens’ mental and physical fatigue, which, in turn, may decrease their sense of leading productive lives. METHODS: This cross‐sectional study examined the relationship between citizens’ participation in and perceptions of local self‐governance and their sense of life worth living. The study was conducted in Unnan City, which is located in the southeastern part of Shimane Prefecture. A questionnaire measuring local self‐governance and participant backgrounds was distributed. Completed questionnaires were collected between March 1 and 31, 2018. A binomial logistic regression model was used. RESULTS: Of the distributed questionnaires, 38.5% (769/2000) were completed and returned. Responses from women and those over 65 years of age comprised 54.2% (417/769) and 35.1% (270/769) of the completed questionnaires, respectively. Analysis of the data using binomial logistic regression showed that age (≥65), health management, social interaction, learning habits, and interest in local self‐governance were significantly correlated with a sense of life worth living (odds ratio for the variables were 0.56 (P = .002), 2.58 (P < .001), 3.05 (P < .001), 2.51 (P < .001), and 1.61 (P = .009), respectively). CONCLUSION: Promoting local self‐governance may lead to a better sense of life worth living for citizens of rural communities. Therefore, when assessing the effectiveness of local self‐governance regarding citizens’ sense of life worth living, their interest in local self‐governance should be taken into consideration.