An Analysis of Differences in Successful Aging, Loneliness, and Depression According to Marital Status Among Older Golf Participants

As the older adult population rapidly increases, society is entering an aged era, and attention to measures that promote healthy aging is growing. Golf, a widely practiced leisure sport, offers physical and psychological benefits for older adults. This study examined differences in successful aging, loneliness, and depressive mood according to marital status among older adults engaged in golf. A survey was conducted with 189 older adults. Data were analyzed using cross-tabulation, validity and reliability testing, multivariate analysis of variance, and post hoc tests. Statistically significant differences emerged across marital status groups. No significant differences were found in psychological aging. In physical and social aging, the married group showed more favorable outcomes than the divorced group, and in social aging, the bereaved group also scored higher than the divorced group. Emotional loneliness was greater among divorced and bereaved participants than among married ones, whereas social loneliness and depressive mood were highest in the divorced group. In sum, marital status was significantly associated with successful aging, loneliness, and depressive mood in older adults who play golf. Although golf participation was associated with more favorable psychological outcomes, divorced individuals remain particularly vulnerable in several domains, possibly owing to persistent social stigma.