Differences According to Sex in the Relationship between Social Participation and Well-Being: A Network Analysis

This study aimed to explore the effects of different types of social participation on the components of well-being, as well as the differences according to sex in the relationship between social participation and well-being. This was a cross-sectional community study. Well-being was measured using the positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and accomplishment (PERMA) profile. Social participation included activities of daily life, sports and entertainment activities, and social service activities. The independent association between each type of social participation and the components of well-being was examined by using a network analysis in both males and females. Of all 1276 participants surveyed, 60% were females. The results of the network analysis showed that positive emotion–housework (0.263), positive emotion–games (0.102), engagement–housework (0.107), engagement–work (0.054), and meaning–socializing (0.085) had unique connections in males; the average predictability in the network was 0.417. For females, positive emotion–physical activity (0.102), engagement–associations or societies (0.071), relationships–physical (0.090), relationships–socializing (0.092), and relationships–volunteering activities (0.133) had significant connections; the average predictability in the network was 0.358. Different types of social participation may have different effects on the components of well-being. Furthermore, differences according to sex in the relationship between social participation and well-being should be considered when formulating interventions to improve well-being.