Perceived Social Isolation and Subjective Quality of Life: The Moderating Role of Participation in the Senior Employment and Social Activity Support Program (SESAP)

Abstract

This study examined whether participation in Korea's Senior Employment and Social Activity Support Program (SESAP) moderates the association between perceived social isolation and subjective quality of life (QOL) among older adults. As social isolation emerges as a policy concern in super-aged societies, whether large-scale employment programs can serve socially isolated older adults remains an open question. Data from the first wave of the Korean Seniors' Work and Life (KSWL) panel, comprising 6,000 adults aged 60 74, were analyzed using weighted hierarchical multiple regression, followed by simple-slope and design-based sensitivity analyses, controlling for demographic characteristics, subjective health, household financial satisfaction, and general social participation. Perceived social isolation was negatively associated with subjective QOL. SESAP participation moderated this association: the negative association was approximately 32% weaker among participants (B = −.192) than among nonparticipants (B = −.282), and the positive association between SESAP participation and subjective QOL was evident primarily among older adults with average or high levels of perceived social isolation. Although modest in magnitude, the buffering association was robust to a design-based sensitivity analysis incorporating the stratified sampling design. These findings suggest that SESAP may function not only as an employment intervention but also as a protective social resource, and that program evaluation should consider its capacity to protect vulnerable groups rather than average effects alone. Incorporating perceived social isolation into participant assessment and strengthening linkages with community-based support services may enhance the program's potential protective role for socially isolated older adults.