Factors associated with life satisfaction of Korean older adults with disabilities living alone: a cross-sectional study using the ICF framework

Background/objectives This study aims to identify factors associated with life satisfaction among older adults with disabilities living alone using an analytic framework informed by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Methods Data were analyzed from 536 older adults (aged 60 years and older) with disabilities using the fourth wave of the Disability and Life Dynamics Panel conducted by the Korea Disability Development Institute. Factors associated with life satisfaction were categorized into personal factors (sex, education level, employment status, subjective economic hardship, self-esteem, and disability acceptance), environmental factors (number of close persons and frequency of contact with them), health-related characteristics (subjective health status, primary disability type, and disability severity), and activities and participation (needs for assistance with activities of daily living, social activity participation, online social interaction, and leisure activity participation). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, t -tests, analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and hierarchical regression analysis. Results Subjective economic hardship was negatively associated with life satisfaction ( β = −0.151, p < 0.001), whereas employment status ( β = 0.326, p < 0.001), self-esteem ( β = 0.114, p = 0.002), and disability acceptance ( β = 0.101, p = 0.006) were positively associated with life satisfaction within the personal factors domain. Among environmental factors, rare contact with close persons was negatively associated with life satisfaction ( β = −0.121, p = 0.001). Regarding health-related characteristics, subjective health status was positively associated with life satisfaction ( β = 0.256, p < 0.001). For activities and participation, unmet needs for assistance with activities of daily living ( β = −0.078, p = 0.013) and non-participation in leisure activities ( β = −0.073, p = 0.016) were negatively associated with life satisfaction. Conclusion This study highlights the multidimensional nature of life satisfaction among older adults with disabilities living alone, demonstrating that both individual and environmental factors are significantly associated with life satisfaction. Future initiatives should focus on expanding job programs, promoting social and leisure activities, and developing integrated health and social support interventions that consider both individual and community contexts, along with improving age-friendly environments.