The Effect of Social Exclusion on Self-Efficacy of Rural Elderly: The Mediating Effect of a Sense of Community

The purpose of this study is to examine the role of community spirit as a mediator in the relationship between social exclusion and self-efficacy among elderly individuals in rural areas. To this end, convenience sampling was conducted by allocating the number of survey participants by region in proportion to the population of the elderly aged 65 or older living in 14 rural areas of J City, Jeollabuk-do. Of the data collected through face-to-face interviews, 239 were analyzed using structural equation modeling using the AMOS 22.0 statistical package. The findings of the study reveal several key points. Firstly, it was observed that decreased social exclusion among rural seniors correlates with increased self-efficacy. Secondly, a decrease in social exclusion among rural seniors is associated with a heightened sense of community. Thirdly, the study indicates that the reduction of social exclusion among rural seniors positively impacts self-efficacy, with community spirit playing a partial mediating role. Based on these findings, recommendations for rural welfare action plans and policy implications are proposed to mitigate social exclusion among rural seniors and enhance their sense of community, ultimately fostering positive self-efficacy.