there is a description in file CANGES_IN 2.8.2
'statusflags' is a replacement for the deprecated field 'active'
now up to 32 different Flags can be stored in a single Integer-field (lot of place for future extensions..

)
the 'old' active-flag can be found now in BIT_1 of 'statusflags'
other already defined flags can be explored in /framework/sys.constants.php
<?php
if( $rec_user['statusflags'] & USERS_ACTIVE )
{
echo 'the user is activated';
}else
{
echo 'the user is NOT activated';
}
?>