scholarly journals Relationship Between Meaningful Activity Engagement and Well-Being Moderated by Race

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 874-874
Author(s):  
Dugan O'Connor ◽  
Jennifer Smith
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Racial Differences ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Religious Faith ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Meaningful Activity

Abstract Engaging in meaningful activities has benefits for health and well-being in older adults; however, racial differences in meaning from activities have been observed. The current study examined how the relationship between engagement in a variety of meaningful activities and well-being differs for Black and White older adults. Participants (130 White and 101 Black older adults), ages 53 to 90 (M=69), completed an online survey that measured the extent to which engaging in various activities provided meaning or fulfillment as well as measures of purpose in life, positive affect, negative affect, and loneliness. Overall, the most meaningful activities included “spending time with family,” “reading,” and “being outdoors/experiencing nature.” The least meaningful activities included “job/career,” “caring for pets/animals,” and “supporting a social or political cause.” Black older adults reported greater meaning from “religious faith,” “spiritual practices/meditation,” “spending time with family,” and “listening to music,” and less meaning from “caring for pets/animals,” compared to White older adults. A series of multiple regression analyses (with age, gender, education, and income as covariates) revealed that greater meaning across activities was associated with lower loneliness, regardless of race. Significant Meaning x Race interactions revealed meaning was positively associated with sense of purpose and positive affect for Black but not White older adults. These findings suggest that finding meaning in leisure activities is a psychological resource that may contribute to Black older adults’ well-being. The racial differences in sources of meaning further support the importance of considering the target population when designing activity programs for older adults.

Leisure and Social Supports in Relation to Positive Affect Among Older Adults

2021 ◽  
pp. 073346482199048
Author(s):  
Sunwoo Lee ◽  
Jungsu Ryu ◽  
Jinmoo Heo
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Leisure Activity ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Social Exchanges ◽  
Using Data

The current study examined the extent to which leisure activities were related to different forms of social support and its association with positive affect. A secondary data analysis was employed using data drawn from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS) in 2014. The study sample was composed of 4,303 individuals whose ages ranged from 65 to 105 ( M = 75.78, SD = 7.42; 57.8% females). Employing bootstrapping technique, the hypothesized relationship between leisure, social support, and positive affect was examined. Mediating effect of social support was also determined. Results indicated that leisure activity, social support, and positive affect were significantly associated, but the relationship varied. The study findings expanded our understanding of the divergent leisure paths to positive social support and emotional well-being of the older adults. Promoting diverse recreational settings is necessary in leisure interventions that can facilitate frequent and positive social exchanges in both in-home and out-of-home environments.

Leisure Activities and the Subjective Well-Being of Older Adults in Croatia

GeroPsych ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ljiljana Kaliterna Lipovčan ◽  
Tihana Brkljačić ◽  
Zvjezdana Prizmić Larsen ◽  
Andreja Brajša-Žganec ◽  
Renata Franc
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Leisure Activity ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Perceived Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Financial Status

Abstract. Research shows that engagement in leisure activities promotes well-being among older adults. The objective of the current study was to examine the relationship between subjective well-being (flourishing) and leisure activities (total number of different activities in the previous year) in a sample of older adults in Croatia, thereby considering the variables of sex, marital status, financial status, and self-perceived health. The differences in the examined variables between the groups of older adults who reported to be engaged in new activities with those who did not were also examined. The sample of N = 169 older adults aged 60 years and above was drawn from a convenience sample of adult internet users in Croatia. Participants reported their self-perceived health and the number of leisure activities they engaged in over the previous year as well as completing the Flourishing Scale. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that older adults who were engaged in more various leisure activities, who perceived better financial status, and who were married reported higher levels of flourishing. A comparison of the two groups of older adults with and without engagement in leisure activities showed that those engaged in at least one leisure activity were more likely to be women, reported higher levels of flourishing, and perceived their own financial status as better. This study indicated that engaging in leisure activities in later life might provide beneficial effects for the well-being of older adults.

scholarly journals Perception Versus Reality: Subjective and Objective Neighborhood Characteristics and Cognitive Function in REGARDS

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 703-703
Author(s):  
Jessica Finlay ◽  
Philippa Clarke ◽  
Lisa Barnes
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Racial Differences ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
Cognitive Status ◽  
Functional Mobility ◽  
Neighborhood Size ◽  
Regards Study

Abstract Does the world shrink as we age? The neighborhood captures a spatial area someone inhabits and moves through on a daily basis. It reflects a balance between internal perceptions and abilities, and the external environment which may enable or restrict participation in everyday life. We frequently hear that older adults have shrinking neighborhoods given declining functional mobility. This is associated with declines in physical and cognitive functioning, depression, poorer quality of life, and mortality. Knowledge of the interplay between objective and subjective neighborhood measurement remains limited. This symposium will explore these linked yet distinct constructs based on secondary data analyses of the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study, a racially diverse sample of 30,000+ aging Americans. Finlay investigates how someone’s perceived neighborhood size (in number of blocks) varies by individual and geographic characteristics including age, cognitive function, self-rated health, and urban/rural context. Esposito’s analyses focus on neighborhood size in relation to race and residential segregation. Clarke compares subjective perceptions of neighborhood parks and safety from crime to objective indicators, and examines variations by health and cognitive status. Barnes will critically consider implications for how older adults interpret and engage with their surrounding environments. The symposium questions the validity of neighborhood-based metrics to reflect the perspectives and experiences of older residents, particularly those navigating cognitive decline. It informs policy-making efforts to improve physical neighborhood environments and social community contexts, which are critical to the health and well-being of older adults aging in place.

scholarly journals Loving Others: The Impact of Compassionate Love on Later-Life Psychological Well-Being

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 480-481
Author(s):  
Eva Kahana ◽  
Tirth Bhatta ◽  
Boaz Kahana ◽  
Nirmala Lekhak
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Emotional Support ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Compassionate Love ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Existing scholarship in social gerontology has surprisingly paid little attention to broader loving emotions, such as compassionate and altruistic love, as potentially meaningful mechanisms for improving later life psychological well-being. This study examined the influence of feeling love toward other persons and experiencing love from others on later life psychological well-being. We conducted a 3-wave longitudinal study of a representative sample of 340 ethnically heterogeneous community dwelling older residents of Miami, Florida. The increase in feeling of being loved (β=-1.53, p<0.001) and love for others (β=-1.43, p<0.001) led to decline in odds of reporting greater level of depressive symptoms over time. The odds of reporting higher level of positive affect were significantly greater for older adults who reported feeling loved by others (β=1.16, p<0.001) and expressed love for other people (β=1.18, p<0.01). Older adults who felt loved had 0.92-point lower ordered log odds of reporting higher negative affect than those who reported lower level of love. The impact of compassionate love on depressive symptoms and negative affect remained statistically significant even after adjustment for altruistic attitudes and emotional support. The influence of loving emotions on positive affect was, however, explained by altruistic attitudes and emotional support. Our findings underscore the powerful influence of both receiving and giving love for the maintenance of later life psychological well-being. We offer support for the expectation that love is a significant force in the lives of older adults that transcends intimate relationships.

scholarly journals COVID-19 as a Stressor: Pandemic Expectations, Perceived Stress, and Negative Affect in Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenda R Whitehead
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Stress And Coping ◽  
Regression Analyses ◽  
And Coping

Abstract Objectives The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic is appraised as a stressor influences perceived stress (PS) and psychological well-being during the event. Here, the association of older adults’ expectations concerning the pandemic’s duration and impact with PS and negative affect (NA) is investigated. Based on the stress and coping framework, PS is expected to mediate the association between COVID-19 expectations and NA. Methods Seven hundred fourteen residents of the United States and aged 60 and older completed an anonymous online survey in late March 2020 reporting PS, NA, and expectations regarding the pandemic. Results Regression analyses controlling for demographic factors revealed that more dire pandemic expectations significantly predicted PS and NA directly, and the effects on NA were significantly mediated by PS. Discussion Findings provide evidence that expectations about a pandemic influence the extent to which older adults experience stress and NA in the midst of a pandemic event. Implications for mental health are discussed.

scholarly journals Gaming Technology to Support Leisure Activities Among Older Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 559-559
Author(s):  
Walter Boot
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Digital Divide ◽  
Daily Living ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Gaming Technology ◽  
Research And Education

Abstract There has been a great deal of research on technology to support older adults in their performance of Activities and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. There has been substantially less research, however, on exploring technology solutions that support hobbies and leisure. This is unfortunate, as quality of life and well-being are determined by more than just one’s ability to manage everyday tasks. An overview will be presented of research the Center for Research and Education on Aging and Technology Enhancement (CREATE) has conducted over two decades with the goals of understanding and supporting older adults’ performance of technology-based leisure activities. Many of these studies have involved videogaming, where there exists a substantial age-related digital divide. CREATE has evaluated older adults’ attitudes and game experiences through survey and research studies and has even recorded longitudinal gameplay. How these findings can be applied to support technology-based leisure activities will be expanded upon. Part of a symposium sponsored by Technology and Aging Interest Group.

scholarly journals Projections of white and black older adults without living kin in the United States, 2015 to 2060

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (42) ◽  
pp. 11109-11114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ashton M. Verdery ◽  
Rachel Margolis
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Racial Differences ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
United States Census ◽  
Nursing Facility ◽  
Demographic Rates ◽  
Facility Placement ◽  
Living Children

Close kin provide many important functions as adults age, affecting health, financial well-being, and happiness. Those without kin report higher rates of loneliness and experience elevated risks of chronic illness and nursing facility placement. Historical racial differences and recent shifts in core demographic rates suggest that white and black older adults in the United States may have unequal availability of close kin and that this gap in availability will widen in the coming decades. Whereas prior work explores the changing composition and size of the childless population or those without spouses, here we consider the kinless population of older adults with no living close family members and how this burden is changing for different race and sex groups. Using demographic microsimulation and the United States Census Bureau’s recent national projections of core demographic rates by race, we examine two definitions of kinlessness: those without a partner or living children, and those without a partner, children, siblings, or parents. Our results suggest dramatic growth in the size of the kinless population as well as increasing racial disparities in percentages kinless. These conclusions are driven by declines in marriage and are robust to different assumptions about the future trajectory of divorce rates or growth in nonmarital partnerships. Our findings draw attention to the potential expansion of older adult loneliness, which is increasingly considered a threat to population health, and the unequal burden kinlessness may place on black Americans.

scholarly journals Correlations of Subjective and Social Well-Being With Sedentary Behavior and Physical Activity in Older Adults—A Population-Based Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuyun Chen ◽  
Amaia Calderón-Larrañaga ◽  
Marguerita Saadeh ◽  
Ing-Mari Dohrn ◽  
Anna-Karin Welmer
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Positive Affect ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
Social Participation ◽  
Oldest Old ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sitting Time ◽  
National Study

Abstract Background Subjective and social well-being, avoiding sedentary behavior (SB), and engaging in physical activity (PA) are important factors for health in older adults, but the extent to which they are related to each other remains unclear. We aimed to investigate these correlations, and whether they differ by age. Method A cross-sectional study was carried out in 595 people aged 66 years and older, from the Swedish National study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen. Subjective and social well-being (life satisfaction, positive and negative affect, social connections, social support, and social participation) were assessed through validated questionnaires and activPAL3 accelerometers provided information on SB and PA. Data were analyzed using multi-adjusted quantile regression models. Results Higher positive affect was significantly associated with less daily sitting time (β = −27.08, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −47.77, −6.39) and higher levels of light PA (LPA) (β = 40.67, 95% CI: 21.06, 60.28). Higher levels of social support and social participation were associated with less daily sitting time (β = −22.79, 95% CI: −39.97, −5.62; and β = −21.22, 95% CI: −39.99, −2.44) and more time in LPA (β = 23.86, 95% CI: 4.91, 42.81; and β = 25.37, 95% CI: 6.27, 44.47). Stratified analyses suggested that the associations of positive affect and social participation were strongest for individuals aged 80 years and older. Conclusions Our results suggest that older adults with higher levels of subjective and social well-being spend less time sitting and engage more in PA. This was especially evident among the oldest-old individuals. Future research should longitudinally investigate the directionality of these correlations.

scholarly journals Benefit-finding buffers the effects of quarantine on older adults’ mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 722-722
Author(s):  
Fan Zhang ◽  
Sheung-Tak Cheng
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Benefit Finding ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
Moderating Role

Abstract Objective Older adults’ health and well-being may suffer due to prolonged social isolation leading to loneliness and increased stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study aimed to address the role of benefit-finding, defined as the capacity to derive meaning and positive aspects from stressful situations, in older adults’ adaptation to the effects of quarantine. Methods 421 participants aged 50 or above in China participated in an online survey to study the effects of quarantine on loneliness, stress, anxiety, depression and life satisfaction, and the moderating role of benefit-finding. Results The results showed that quarantine was basically unrelated to any outcome. Further analysis showed, however, that the effect of quarantine varied by levels of benefit-finding. Only people with lower benefit-finding reported a higher level of loneliness, perceived stress, anxiety and depression, but no relationships were found at higher benefit-finding. Conclusions The findings extended our understanding of the role of benefit-finding in buffering the negative impact of adversity on older people. By mitigating the effects of prolonged social isolation, benefit-finding served as a protective factor in older people’s adaptation to the sequelae of this pandemic.

scholarly journals Online Leisure Activities for Sustained Mental Health Well-being in Older Adults with COVID-19 Mitigation

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 725-725
Author(s):  
Solymar Rivera-Torres ◽  
Elias Mpofu ◽  
M Jean Keller ◽  
Stan Ingman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Leisure Time Physical Activity ◽  
Emotional Health ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Leisure And Recreation ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Older adults (OA) experience psychosocial distress from the COVID-19 pandemic mitigations. While their participation in leisure and recreation activities (LRA) would be ameliorating, we do not know how LRA OA engages for their mental health (MH) well-being with COVID-19 mitigation. This scoping review aimed to trend the evidence on the types of LRA OA engage for their MH well-being across the young-old continuum (60-69 years) through to older-old (80 years and above) in the COVID-19 pandemic. We searched the following electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane, JBI-ES, and Epistemonicos for LRA studies by OA with COVID-19 mitigation. To be included, we considered empirical articles published in English on LRA of OA 55+ years-old. Another criterion required articles describing those activities' qualities and the impact of LRA on MH and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. We resulted in seven empirical studies, two of which implemented in the USA and one from the USA and Canada, Spain, Israel, and Japan. Findings following narrative synthesis revealed trending evidence on OA to engage in online LRA for social, cognitive /intellectual, and emotional health. Leisure-time physical activity reduced negative MH symptoms as anxiety and depression in OA under COVID-19 threat. In conclusion, the present review's trending evidence suggests that OA engagement in social, physical, mental, and cognitive LRA enhanced their MH and overall well-being. Activities delivered by way of the Internet and television provided a cluster of beneficial opportunities for the OA mental health needs under the COVID-19 pandemic.

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