scholarly journals Types of social networks and starting leisure activities in later life: A longitudinal Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (JAGES)

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (7) ◽  
pp. e0254828
Author(s):  
Takuya Sekiguchi ◽  
Katsunori Kondo ◽  
Mihoko Otake-Matsuura
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Leisure Activity ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Evaluation Study ◽  
Latent Classes ◽  
Beneficial Effects

Considering beneficial effects of leisure activities in later life on well-being and health, we investigated which type of social network among older adults is associated with starting their participation in leisure activities. We used data from a longitudinal Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study (JAGES) conducted in Japan every three years from 2010 to 2016. We extracted types of social networks of older adults who did not participate in leisure activities in 2013 and responded to items related to social networks (n = 3436) relying on latent class analysis to examine changes in leisure activity participation over a three-year period within each latent class while controlling for participants’ activity in 2010. As a result, we identified five latent classes of social networks: the Neighborhood network, the Restricted network, which is characterized by limited social contacts, the Colleagues network, the Same-Interest network, and the Diverse network, from the most to the least prevalent. We found that members of the Neighborhood (Cohen’s d = 0.161) and Same-Interest networks (d = 0.660) were significantly more likely to, and members of the Diverse (d = 0.124) and Colleague networks (d = 0.060) were not significantly more likely to start leisure activities than those in the Restricted network. Furthermore, we found that lower age, better mental health, and higher education level were positively associated with starting participation in leisure activities in some latent classes. Horticulture or gardening was most likely to be chosen across all latent classes. Supporting the formation of social networks facilitating leisure activities, and recommending activities that were likely to be selected could be one solution for getting and keeping older adults active.

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 EXPANDING SOCIAL TIES AS A GOAL IN LATER LIFE: THE ROLE OF SOCIAL NETWORK CHARACTERISTICS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S175-S175
Author(s):  
Danielle Oleskiewicz ◽  
Karen Rook
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Networks ◽  
Social Network ◽  
Social Ties ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Support Provision ◽  
Network Characteristics ◽  
Network Composition

Abstract Older adults often winnow their social ties to focus on emotionally rewarding ties (Charles & Carstensen, 2010). Some older adults, however, have small social networks that preclude much winnowing or aversive social ties from which disengagement is difficult. These individuals might be motivated to expand, rather than contract, their social ties. The current study sought to extend knowledge regarding potential links between social network characteristics and older adults’ interest, effort, and success in creating new social ties. We expected that small social networks and negative social ties might motivate interest and effort directed toward forming new social ties but that positive social ties might foster success in efforts to form new ties. In-person interviews were conducted with participants (N = 351, Mean age = 74.16) in a larger study of older adults’ social networks and well-being. The interviews assessed participants’ social networks, as well as their interest, effort, and success in making new social ties. Participants’ social network composition, rather than size, was associated with greater motivation to establish new social ties. Negative social ties were associated with greater interest and effort directed toward forming new social ties. Positive social ties were related to greater success (due, in part, to their support provision) and, unexpectedly, were also related to greater interest and effort directed toward forming new ties. Older adults sometimes seek to expand, rather than contract, their social ties, and characteristics of their social networks appear to play a role in fueling and influencing the success of such efforts.

scholarly journals The Role and Impact of Radio Listening Practices in Older Adults’ Everyday Lives

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda E. Krause
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Leisure Activity ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Space Model ◽  
Qualitative Thematic Analysis

Previous research has indicated older adults value listening to music as a leisure activity. Yet, recent research into listening practices broadly has often focused on younger adults and the use of newer, digital listening technologies. Nonetheless, the radio, which is familiar to older people who grew up with it at the forefront of family life, is important to consider with regard to listening practices and the potential associated well-being benefits. This research investigated older adults’ everyday radio listening practices, in order to begin to understand how the radio fits into their daily lives and how it might influence their sense of well-being. Twenty-five Australian residents (aged 66–87; 56% female, 44% male) participated in semi-structured, one-to-one interviews. The results of a qualitative thematic analysis revealed themes concerning listening preferences, listening routines, access, and motivations/outcomes. While personal preferences (concerning content, stations, and presenters) were diverse, individuals clearly communicated these as well as their established listening routines and habits. Listener motivations varied: some people focused on the enjoyment that listening to the radio creates while some noted benefits to their well-being, such as relaxation, modifying their mood, and feelings of comfort and community. Radio listening practices can be defined in terms of differing engagement styles, as characterized using continua ranging from passive to active, or focused, listening as well as generalized or specific listening. Based on participants’ experiences, a proposed engagement space model links how people engage with the radio to the possible outcomes mentioned. Importantly, benefits to well-being can result from varied engagement styles. The findings presented provide an in-depth understanding of how the radio fits into older adults’ everyday life, with implications for considering how the radio might be used as a widely accessed, low-cost tool for maintaining and enhancing quality of later life.

Effect of “freedom of choice” on Task Performance and Well-Being During Leisure Activity: An Intercultural Study Among Older Adults in China and France

2021 ◽  
pp. 009141502110376
Author(s):  
Minmin Tang ◽  
Dahua Wang ◽  
Alain Guerrien
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Task Performance ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Leisure Activity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Psychological Needs ◽  
Basic Psychological Needs ◽  
Freedom Of Choice ◽  
Choice Group

Based on the perspective of self-determination theory (SDT) and the cross-cultural, the aim of the present study was to explore the effect of “freedom of choice” on the well-being of institution-dwelling older adults (elderly residences and nursing homes), in particular during leisure activities. Participants ( NChina = 67, Mage = 80.55 years; NFrance = 90, Mage = 82.19 years) were randomly assigned to the “elderly-choice” group or “staff choice” group to participate in a puzzle game. Consistent with SDT, results showed that basic psychological needs satisfaction (autonomy, competence, relatedness) was positively associated with elderly well-being. However, our findings did not demonstrate the importance of freedom of choice for promoting such well-being in the context of leisure activities for either culture; this may be related to the recompense of close relationships or else the particularity of the elderly population. Interestingly, competence satisfaction was observed to act as a complete mediating variable between task performance and well-being only in the French population.

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.

scholarly journals A critical review of the literature on social and leisure activity and wellbeing in later life

2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 683-712 ◽  
Author(s):  
KATHRYN BETTS ADAMS ◽  
SYLVIA LEIBBRANDT ◽  
HEEHYUL MOON
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Activity Theory ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Social Activity ◽  
Leisure Activity ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Original Activity ◽  
Psychological Constructs ◽  
Social Leisure ◽  
High Participation

ABSTRACTAn engaged lifestyle is seen as an important component of successful ageing. Many older adults with high participation in social and leisure activities report positive wellbeing, a fact that fuelled the original activity theory and that continues to influence researchers, theorists and practitioners. This study's purpose is to review the conceptualisation and measurement of activity among older adults and the associations reported in the gerontological literature between specific dimensions of activity and wellbeing. We searched published studies that focused on social and leisure activity and wellbeing, and found 42 studies in 44 articles published between 1995 and 2009. They reported from one to 13 activity domains, the majority reporting two or three, such as informal, formal and solitary, or productive versus leisure. Domains associated with subjective wellbeing, health or survival included social, leisure, productive, physical, intellectual, service and solitary activities. Informal social activity has accumulated the most evidence of an influence on wellbeing. Individual descriptors such as gender or physical functioning sometimes moderate these associations, while contextual variables such as choice, meaning or perceived quality play intervening roles. Differences in definitions and measurement make it difficult to draw inferences about this body of evidence on the associations between activity and wellbeing. Activity theory serves as shorthand for these associations, but gerontology must better integrate developmental and psychological constructs into a refined, comprehensive activity theory.

Discovering Grace at the Table? Prayers at Mealtime, Marital Status, and Life Satisfaction in Later Life

2021 ◽  
pp. 016402752198909
Author(s):  
Jong Hyun Jung ◽  
Christopher G. Ellison
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Marital Status ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Benefits ◽  
Representative Sampling ◽  
Marital Partner ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Positive Effects

This study examines the effects of prayers at mealtime on change in life satisfaction among older U.S. adults. In addition, it assesses the ways that marital status conditions these psychological effects of prayers at mealtime. Using two waves of longitudinal data from the Religion, Aging, and Health Survey (2001–2004), a representative sampling of adults aged 65 and older, the analyses reveal that the frequency of prayers at mealtime is associated with an increase in life satisfaction over time. Further, the positive effects of prayers at mealtime on change in life satisfaction are greater for nonmarried older adults than their married counterparts. The findings in the study reinforce claims of the beneficial effects of religion on mental well-being in later life. Moreover, they elaborate on the resource substitution thesis by showing that religion provides greater psychological benefits for older adults who do not have alternative resources for well-being—a marital partner.

scholarly journals Effects of Urban Park Quality, Environmental Perception, and Leisure Activity on Well-Being among the Older Population

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (21) ◽  
pp. 11402
Author(s):  
Yu-Ting Chu ◽  
Dongying Li ◽  
Po-Ju Chang
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Leisure Activity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Environmental Perception ◽  
Urban Park ◽  
Environmental Perceptions ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Park Quality

Previous studies have shown that natural environments and leisure activities can reduce depression and increase well-being. Urban parks are important for the psychological well-being of middle-aged and older adults. However, it remains unknown whether the relationship between environmental perceptions, leisure activity, and well-being is affected by the quality of park environments. This study uses a cross-level framework to examine the effects of urban park quality on middle-aged and older adults’ environmental perceptions, leisure activity, and well-being. The Neighborhood Green Space Tool was used to assess the environmental quality of 19 parks, and 380 individuals aged 55 years and older were interviewed in each park using an on-site questionnaire. The results reveal that the associations between environmental perception and well-being were moderated by the quality of park accessibility, amenities, and incivilities; the effect of environmental perception on depression was moderated by the quality of incivilities in parks; and the effect of frequency of leisure activities on depression was moderated by the quality of park accessibility.

Activity Patterns Associated With Health Status in Later Life Among Singaporeans

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 311-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Song-Iee Hong ◽  
Srinivasan Chokkanathan ◽  
Philip A. Rozario
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Latent Class ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Leisure Activity ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Social Leisure ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Impact

Research on activities overlooks the possibility that older adults engage in different activities contemporaneously. To address this gap, we used latent class analyses to identify activity patterns and then examined demographic and health correlates of these patterns among a nationally representative sample of older adults in Singapore. We identified four classes of activities: the family-focused instrumental activity (FIA) class, the social leisure activity (SLA) class, the multidynamic activity (MDA) class, and the passive activity (PA) class. Furthermore, the MDA members showed higher scores in their mental health. Worse physical functioning and higher depression scores also increased the likelihood of being in the FIA and PA groups. Significant demographics such as gender, ethnicity, marital status, education, employment, house type, and income were related to heterogeneity in older adults’ activity patterns. Service providers might consider the impact of certain significant demographic and health-related correlates when planning programs to ensure greater reach and access.

Life transitions and leisure activity engagement in later life: findings from the Consumption and Activities Mail Survey (CAMS)

2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (8) ◽  
pp. 1603-1623 ◽  
Author(s):  
YURA LEE ◽  
JOOHONG MIN ◽  
IRIS CHI
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Marital Status ◽  
Labour Force ◽  
Leisure Activities ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Mail Survey ◽  
Leisure Activity ◽  
Later Life ◽  
Activity Engagement ◽  
Never Married

ABSTRACTThis study examined engagement in leisure activities among older adults, specifically focusing on how life transition factors in later life, including retirement and marital status, are associated with leisure activity engagement using a national sample of older American men and women. We conducted multiple regression analyses with a sample of 5,405 individuals (2,318 men; 3,087 women) from the Consumption and Activities Mail Survey, a supplementary sample of the Health and Retirement Study. We analysed activity engagement in each of four domains of leisure activities: mental, physical, social and religious. Retirement status was categorised into three groups: working (referent), completely retired and partly retired. Marital status was categorised into four groups: married (referent), divorced or separated, widowed and never married. We found an overall trend of a positive relationship between retirement and leisure activity engagement, which suggests that retirement provides a chance for older adults to participate in leisure activities after withdrawal from the labour force. The overall trend of a negative relationship between non-married status and leisure activity engagement suggests that the loss or absence of a spouse may serve as a barrier to participate in leisure activities. Nevertheless, variation among retirees and non-married individuals suggests future studies should compare completely and partly retired individuals or those who are widowed, divorced or separated, or never married to elucidate distinguishable leisure activity profiles.

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