When More Is Not Better: Threshold Effects of Social Participation on Well-Being Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Rural Taiwan

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.