Table 1.

Mean differences of variables at the initial survey by gender (n=498)

	Male (n=275)			Female (n=223)
	Range	M	SD	M	SD	t (496)
Age	64-80	70.22	3.85	70.34	4.10	−.333
Health status a)	1-4	3.14	.82	3.00	.73	1.963
Economic status b)	1-4	2.71	.76	2.81	.72	−1.519
Social participation c)	1-3	1.54	.65	1.61	.69	−1.258
Number of children	1-6	2.13	.76	2.08	.74	.794
Interaction with friends d)	0-5	1.87	1.66	3.04	1.58	− 8.042***
Life satisfaction	10-30	21.91	3.77	22.20	3.81	−.849
Depressive tendency	11-33	15.38	3.42	15.81	3.64	−1.370

^*p<.05

^**p<.01

^***p<.001

^a)Note: Subjective health status was measured on a four-point scale, with “1” indicating “poor” health, and “4” indicating “good” health.

^b)Note: Economic status was measured on a four point scale, with “1” indicating “marginal” and “4” indicating “affluent.”

^c)Note: Social participation was measured on a three point scale, with “1” indicating “almost never,” and “3”indicating “often.”

^d)Note: Interaction with friends was measured on a six-point scale, with “0” indicating “never,” and “5” indicating “more than twice a week.”