Structure of life satisfaction from the perspective of arts experiences in Japan

Abstract

Approximately 40% of elementary school girls have some type of arts experience, such as dancing and playing instruments, as out-of-school activities. However, its effect has not been clearly revealed. This is mainly because the effects of the arts were not a major topic of discussion in Japan so there has been little data about the arts. With the precise knowledge, we could start considering how to take the benefits of the arts. Thus, this paper empirically analyzed the effects of the arts on quality of life in the case of Japan. The aim was to reveal the impacts of arts experiences in order to consider how to support or make use of the arts. It utilized structural equation modeling to reveal the relationships between the number of the arts experience types in elementary school and life satisfaction. The nationwide data from the Preference Parameters Study in 2013 was primarily utilized. The sample size was 1532, including 823 females and 709 males. The results showed significant positive relationships between the number of the arts experience types and life satisfaction through attitudes, present behaviors related to the arts, and leisure satisfaction. The results suggested two issues; arts experience in elementary school years helped to cultivate the mind to enjoy the arts and also the arts played the role to increase one’s quality of life.