The Mediating Effect of Perceived External Support on the Relationship Between Retirement Preparation and Life Satisfaction: Focusing on the Baby Boomer Generation

Yunjung Choi; Sooyoung Kim

doi:10.21086/ksles.2025.4.32.2.206

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2025 Vol.32, Issue 2 Preview Page Next Page

Research Article

The Mediating Effect of Perceived External Support on the Relationship Between Retirement Preparation and Life Satisfaction: Focusing on the Baby Boomer Generation 노후준비가 삶의 만족에 미치는 영향에서 외부지원 인식의 매개효과: 베이비붐 세대를 중심으로

30 April 2025. pp. 206-221

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Abstract

This study investigates the impact of retirement preparation on life satisfaction and explores whether the perception of external support for older adults mediates this relationship. In particular, by comparing the baby boomer generation in their 60s with the older generation in their 70s, the study aims to propose policy measures that reflect generational characteristics to enhance quality of life in an aging society. A total of 501 adults aged between 60 and 79 participated in this study, with data collected through quota sampling based on gender, age, and residential population ratios. Mediating effects were analyzed using the PROCESS macro for SPSS. The results indicate that higher levels of retirement preparation are associated with lower perceptions of external support, while perceptions of external support positively influence life satisfaction. Furthermore, even when controlling for the mediating variable, retirement preparation continued to exhibit a significant positive effect on life satisfaction. Notably, among baby boomers in their 60s, the mediating role of external support perception was more pronounced, suggesting that actively leveraging personal resources through retirement preparation, coupled with a positive perception of external support, is a critical strategy for improving life satisfaction in this cohort. These findings underscore the importance of an integrated approach to retirement preparation and external support perception in enhancing the quality of life for older adults in a rapidly aging society. Moreover, the study highlights the need for tailored welfare policies that address generational characteristics, offering practical implications for policy development.

Keywords

Retirement preparation

Life satisfaction

External support perceptions

Baby boomer generation

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Information

Publisher :The Korean Society of Living Environmental System
Publisher(Ko) :한국생활환경학회
Journal Title :Journal of The Korean Society of Living Environmental System
Journal Title(Ko) :한국생활환경학회
Volume : 32
No :2
Pages :206-221
Received Date : 2025-03-12
Revised Date : 2025-04-04
Accepted Date : 2025-04-15
DOI :https://doi.org/10.21086/ksles.2025.4.32.2.206

Journal of The Korean Society of Living Environmental System ISSN:1226-1289(Print) 한국생활환경학회

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