Background Social participation benefits are often assumed to increase linearly. This study examined potential nonlinear effects and age differences among rural older adults in Taiwan. Methods Data from 1,100 community-dwelling older adults (WHO-5 well-being) and administrative participation logs were analyzed using threshold regression and age-moderated models. Results A threshold-like pattern emerged: well-being remained stable at low-to-moderate engagement but was lower in communities with higher program intensity (>150 annual hours) in this sample. This negative association appeared among young-old adults (65–79) but not old-old adults (≥80). Conclusion Participation intensity may not increase well-being indefinitely. Findings suggest an approximate inflection range where well-being remains stable, highlighting the need for age-responsive and autonomy-supportive programming. While longitudinal research is needed to confirm causal pathways, community centers should consider sustainable scheduling to optimize well-being.
Liang et al. (Tue,) studied this question.