FROM : The Motivation and Related Factors of Male Elderly People's Social Participation in Taiwan

Response to Reviewer-1

Thank you for your detailed and insightful feedback. We appreciate your careful review and
valuable suggestions. Below are our point-by-point responses to each of the identified
weaknesses:

1.Lack of quantitative data support: Incorporating surveys or government statistical data could
provide a more comprehensive picture of the situation.

Response:
We have added statistical data from the Executive Yuan (2024), which shows that the
participation rate of elderly males in community care centers is only 24.68%, significantly lower
than that of females. This addition offers a clearer quantitative context and highlights the gender
disparity in social participation, supporting the qualitative findings of this study.

2.Insufficient discussion on policy implementation challenges: Issues such as the adequacy of
community resources, implementation costs, and the long-term impact of social participation
on elderly men should be further explored.

In response to your suggestion, we have expanded the discussion on challenges faced in
implementing elderly social participation policies. Specifically, we address issues such as
resource limitations in rural areas, shortage of professional staff and volunteers, and financial
constraints (e.g., transportation subsidies, space rental, and material costs). These factors are
particularly relevant in understanding why some elderly men remain disengaged, even when
programs are available.

3.Conceptual clarity: The discussion on key concepts such as “male dignity” could be more precise
and clearly defined.

We have clarified and defined the concept of male dignity within the cultural context of elderly
Taiwanese men. In the revised discussion, male dignity is described as encompassing autonomy,
authority, and social respect—qualities that align with traditional masculinity. We provide
examples to illustrate how these values influence participation patterns, such as avoidance of
female-dominated activities or preference for roles that emphasize expertise and leadership.
This conceptual refinement helps explain the behavioral tendencies observed and informs the
design of more inclusive programs.

Response to reciewer-2

 

Thank you very much for your thoughtful and constructive feedback. We appreciate your recognition of the
global relevance of our study and your valuable suggestions to improve the clarity and structure of the
manuscript. Below is our detailed response to your comment:

This manuscript is globally relevant, benefiting not only elderly Taiwanese men online but also others worldwide
needing social engagement to improve physical, social, and psychological well-being. It focuses on key aspects
of healthy aging and resource access for older men. I suggest expanding the abstract, shortening the introduction,
and including a literature review section to improve the manuscript. Dedicate a section to elaborating on the
study’s findings regarding motivational factors, thus supporting the study’s title: “The Motivation and Related
Factors of Male Elderly People’s Social Participation in Taiwan”. The title is acceptable, but a revision for a
wider readership is recommended. Additionally, the abstract should define key concepts like motivation and
social participation and briefly summarize the study’s results.

Response:

1. Expanded Abstract:
We have revised the abstract to define key terms such as motivation and social participation, and added a
brief summary of the main findings of the study. The revised abstract now better reflects the core results
and significance of the research. Changes have been marked in the manuscript.

2. Shortened Introduction:

In response to your suggestion, we have carefully reviewed and condensed the introduction to improve
focus and flow. Redundant or less relevant background information has been removed to make room for a
more structured literature review and discussion.

3. New Literature Review Section:
We have added a dedicated literature review section to better situate our research within existing
academic discourse. This section highlights previous studies related to elderly men’s social participation
and identifies research gaps our study addresses.

4. Findings on Motivation – New Section Added:
A new subsection within the Results and Discussion section has been added to specifically elaborate on
the motivational factors influencing elderly men’s social participation. These include social connection, a
sense of purpose, health-related benefits, and gender-role perceptions. This expansion aligns the findings
more closely with the study’s objectives and title.

We sincerely appreciate your insightful recommendations, which have significantly improved the clarity,
academic rigor, and relevance of our manuscript. All changes are clearly indicated in the revised manuscript
using highlights or tracked changes.
Thank you again for your time and contribution to strengthening our work.