The Relationship Between Leisure Activities and Well-being During Social Isolation

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sartu Osman ◽  
Danielle Gaucher

Leisure activities are effective ways to cope with stressful life events; however, more research is needed to understand its effects in social isolation. In the current study, we explored whether university students’ participation in leisure activities (such as baking, running, and yoga) has helped protect against some of the negative effects of social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, this correlational study aimed to discover (a) the relationship between leisure activity participation and psychological well-being and resilience during periods of social isolation; (b) the type of leisure activity (i.e., physical or nonphysical) that has the most positive effect on overall well-being; and (c) precisely why particular leisure activities were positively associated with well-being and resilience (e.g., do they increase social affiliation, self-efficacy, personal control, flow, and sense of meaning?). To answer these questions, 200 university students completed an online survey asking them about the frequency and type of their participation in leisure activities. Participant’s coronavirus anxiety, sense of well-being, and resiliency were the outcome variables. Results indicated a significant, positive association between leisure activity participation and overall well-being, demonstrated by a decrease in anxiety and an increase in well-being. Contrary to the literature, engagement in more non-physical leisure activities was associated with greater resiliency compared to physical activities. The mechanisms for the positive association were not clear. In sum, this study supports participation in leisure activities as a possible way to cope with social isolation and the negative effects of the current pandemic.

Gerontology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 62 (4) ◽  
pp. 450-458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle E. Paggi ◽  
Daniela Jopp ◽  
Christopher Hertzog

Background: Previous studies have examined the relationships between physical health and leisure activities and between leisure activities and well-being, but, to our knowledge, none has examined these relationships simultaneously. Objective: This study investigated the relationships between leisure activities, health and well-being considering the role of age, and whether leisure activities mediate the relationship between physical health and well-being. Methods: Utilizing a cross-sectional database of 259 adults (ages 18-81 years) who completed several questionnaires, linear regression models and mediation models were tested. Results: Regression analyses indicated that physical health was related to leisure activities and leisure activities were related to well-being. When physical health was measured by subjective ratings, age had a stronger relationship with leisure activities. However, when physical health was indicated by health restrictions, physical health had a stronger relationship with leisure activities than did age. Leisure activities were a partial mediator of the relationship between physical health and well-being. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that the reduction in leisure activities with age has more to do with physical health limitations than with older age itself. In addition, regardless of age, the benefits of physical health for well-being are due in part to the level of leisure activity participation. These results highlight the importance of leisure activities for successful aging throughout the adult life span. Interventions designed to improve well-being through increasing leisure activity participation should take physical health into consideration, particularly for older adults.


2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 67
Author(s):  
Hüseyin Çevik

The problems university students face during their education life often lead to undesirable situations as stress resources. Thus, various methods, techniques and strategies are employed in order to avoid negative effects of stress in their lives. Leisure is one of the effective methods in coping with stress, and leisure coping strategies are “leisure companionship”, “leisure palliative coping” and “leisure mood enhancement”. However, there are few studies in the literature focusing on the relationship between these strategies and perceived stress. Exploring this relationship is believed to provide valuable insights for university administrations so that they might offer effective recreation programs for their students. Therefore, this study aims to examine the relationship between perceived stress and leisure coping strategies. In addition, it examines whether there is a difference in perceived stress and strategies according to time spent for leisure activities and type of leisure participation. The participants of the study are 338 students, who were determined by using convenience sampling method. The data were collected through a survey that consists of three parts. The first part includes Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the second one Leisure Coping Strategies Scale (LCSS) and the third one demographic questions about the participants. The data were analyzed by using Pearson Moment-Product correlation, t-test and ANOVA analyses. According to the findings, there is a negative significant relationship between perceived stress level, leisure coping strategies and its subdimensions. The study also found that perceived stress level of the participants who prefer passive participation in leisure activities is significantly different from that of those who prefer active participation. Similarly, the participants who prefer passive participation in leisure activities is significantly different from those who prefer active participation in terms of leisure coping strategies. In conclusion, the study contributes to the literature with these valuable findings and provides important insights for university campus recreation programs and services.


Author(s):  
Young-Jae Kim ◽  
Jeong-hyung Cho ◽  
Seung-Woo Kang

This study utilizes the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) variables—including “attitude,” “subjective norms,” and “perceived behavioral control”—to understand the relationship between mask-wearing behavior and physical/non-physical leisure activity participation in Koreans as well as the tendencies behind mask-wearing intentions within leisure activities. The measurement tools used attitude, subjective norms, control, and mask use intention factors based on the TPB. Overall, 545 individuals participated, and the non-overlapping regions, sex, and age were considered through the stratified sampling method. The survey was conducted online owing to COVID-19, and collected data were derived through descriptive and multiple linear regression analyses. First, a difference in mask-wearing intention based on physical and non-physical leisure activities was identified; second, attitudes and perceived behaviors were considered in light of the dangers posed by COVID-19. It was found that control influences the tendency of intention to wear a mask depending on whether the group was engaged in physical or non-physical activity. Therefore, it can be stated that mask-wearing must be mandatory during physical and non-physical activities owing to respiratory diseases such as COVID-19. It is also important to simultaneously promote a positive attitude toward mask-wearing to enable people to believe that they can stay in full control of their own health.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ziggi Ivan Santini ◽  
Vibeke Koushede ◽  
Carsten Hinrichsen ◽  
Malene Kubstrup Nelausen ◽  
Katrine Rich Madsen ◽  
...  

Purpose Previous studies have shown a positive association between being engaged or challenged through a leisure activity and good mental health; however, this relationship may vary by the extent to which individuals feel challenged at work or school. This study aims to examine whether a challenging work/study (or the lack of it) moderates the relationship between engaging in challenging leisure activity and mental health. Design/methodology/approach Data from 2,406 adults 16–64 years old from The Danish Mental Health and Well-Being Survey 2016 were linked to Danish national register-based data. Mental well-being (outcome) was assessed using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale and depression/anxiety symptoms (outcome) were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-4. Multivariable linear regressions were performed to estimate the association between challenging leisure activity (predictor) and challenging work/study (potential moderator). Findings Overall, engaging in a challenging leisure activity was positively associated with mental well-being and negatively associated with anxiety symptoms. For these two, a challenging work/study significantly moderated the relationships. The positive association between a challenging activity and mental well-being was strongest among individuals not employed or studying as well as individuals feeling less challenged at work/school. Similarly, the negative association between a challenging activity and anxiety symptoms was strongest among individuals not employed or studying as well as individuals feeling less challenged at work/school. Among individuals with a very challenging work/study, challenging leisure activity was not associated with anxiety symptoms. Finally, engaging in a challenging leisure activity did not significantly predict depression symptoms. Originality/value Mental health promotion strategies may focus on promoting challenging leisure activities especially among groups not employed or enrolled in education or among individuals that do not feel challenged through their work or studies. The results may further have implications for efforts to address and protect employee/student mental health at workplaces or schools.


2021 ◽  
pp. 412-417
Author(s):  
Cristian Ștefan LIUȘNEA

Introduction. Currently, the crises triggered by the pandemic, in the fields of health, freedom of movement, economic, with impact in the social and cultural spheres, bring back today the practical applicability of the concepts of fitness and wellness. Material and method. In our study we will refer to the effects of the pandemic on health (everyone's well-being), to see how they accentuated the negative effects of the risks that specialists linked to sedentary lifestyle; increased stress; static anti-physiological positions for prolonged periods of time, which result in cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and even cancer, to which is added an irrational diet. We will also refer to the relationship between the quality of life of people and the need to find the most effective ways to combat the negative effects of risk factors, by overcoming the obstacles posed by the financial situation and cultural patterns both in terms of lifestyle, as well as the eating behavior of people from different backgrounds. Results and discussions. We are of the opinion that specialists must go in their approaches, from the cultural understanding of man, to find ways to individualize the means of intervention so as to achieve the proposed objectives. The framework could be, for children and adolescents - the reorganization of school physical education, and for young people and adults - leisure activities, in which the emphasis could be falls on the concepts of Fitness and Wellness, with a beneficial effect on quality of life and personal satisfaction. Conclusion In this context, we believe that it is necessary to reconsider the need to make the population aware of the formation of a healthy lifestyle. The means could be physical fitness, wellness, rational nutrition and recovery according to the effort made, their benefits can have a major impact on health and prolong life expectancy. Keywords: Fitness, Wellness, Health, Physical education, cultural perspectives,


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 793-794
Author(s):  
Amanda Collins ◽  
Jeffrey Stokes ◽  
Elizabeth Dugan

Abstract Family strain is associated with higher numbers of depressive symptoms and lower levels of life satisfaction. Leisure activities are observed to buffer the negative effects of family strain among younger adults, however, this phenomenon is understudied among older adults. This study examines the relationship between intergenerational strain and depressive symptoms and life satisfaction among persons aged 50 and older. The study also examines the moderating effects of gender and leisure activities. The analysis uses the Health and Retirement Study to addresses these questions. The results suggest that intergenerational strain (p=.000) and being female (p.=000), are associated with more depressive symptoms, while engagement in social leisure activities (p.=04) is associated with fewer. Intergenerational strain (p=.000) and being female (p=.03) are associated with lower levels of life satisfaction, while engagement in solitary (p=.000) and social leisure activities (p=.000) are associated with higher levels. Results from moderation models suggest that as intergenerational strain increases, women have lower life satisfaction and more depressive symptoms as compared to men (p=.000). Also, the association between intergenerational strain and life satisfaction is reduced among respondents who engaged in leisure activities (p=.002-social and p=.000-solitary). Further, the positive relationship between intergeneration strain and depressive symptoms is lower for persons who engage in leisure activities (p=.027-solitary and p=.013-social). Finally, women who engage in social and solitary leisure activities have fewer depressive symptoms than men (p=.037). The study findings imply that the subjective well-being of older persons may be improved in terms of intergeneration strain if they engage in leisure activities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 727-727
Author(s):  
Ke Li ◽  
Fengyan Tang

Abstract Social isolation has been recognized as a social problem with negative effects on psychological well-being. Older adults are disproportionately affected by social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using data from the 2020 Health and Retirement Study COVID-19 Project, this study examined the relationship between social isolation and depressive symptoms among two groups of respondents differentiated by whether themselves or their social relationships were diagnosed with COVID-19. This study also explored the moderating role of perceived neighborhood environment. Depressive symptoms were measured using the eight-item CES-D. The index of social isolation was generated using five indicators, including living alone, no social participation, and less than monthly contact with children, family members, and friends. The moderator assessed two aspects of the neighborhood environment, including physical disorder and social cohesion. The results of bivariate analyses showed that respondents who were affected by COVID-19 were younger, more likely to be female, Hispanic, and Non-Hispanic Black, and with lower levels of social isolation. The results of multiple regression analyses indicated that social isolation was associated with more depressive symptoms, but this relationship was found to be only significant among respondents who were affected by COVID-19. Perceived neighborhood environment significantly moderated the relationship, as the effect of social isolation on depressive symptoms was stronger for respondents with more neighborhood physical disorders and less social cohesion. This study has implications for practice and policy, in that it underscored the importance of enacting strategies to improve the neighborhood environment, particularly for socially isolated older adults during the COVID-19.


Gerontology ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 63 (6) ◽  
pp. 560-571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas Ihle ◽  
Élvio R. Gouveia ◽  
Bruna R. Gouveia ◽  
Bernadette W.A. van der Linden ◽  
Julia Sauter ◽  
...  

Background: Recently, Paggi et al. [Gerontology 2016;62:450-458] for the very first time showed in a cross-sectional sample of 259 adults aged 18-81 years that the relation of physical health to psychological well-being was mediated via frequency of leisure activity participation. Objective: To extend this framework, we followed theories on successful aging and vulnerability to propose to add a differential perspective predicting that certain individuals may be more vulnerable than others and therefore may show differences in the mediation pattern. Specifically, we examined whether mediation patterns were differential in certain populations, such as in old-old (compared to young-old) adults and in individuals who carried out a low (compared to those with a high) number of activities. Methods: We analyzed data from 3,080 individuals on physical health (number of chronic diseases, subjective health status, and subjective evaluation of change in health over the last 10 years), frequency of participation in 18 leisure activities, and physical and psychological well-being using moderated mediation models with a path model approach that allowed the simultaneous estimation of all model paths, including their significance. Results: We found that the relation of physical health to physical and psychological well-being was mediated via frequency of activity participation. For physical (but not for psychological) well-being, this mediation was more pronounced in old-old (compared to young-old) adults and in individuals who carried out a low (compared to those with a high) number of activities. These moderated mediations were attributable to differential relations of physical health to frequency of activity participation and to differential relations of frequency of activity participation to physical well-being between the investigated moderator levels. Conclusion: Present data suggest that participation in leisure activities may play a key role in mediating the relationship between physical health and well-being, particularly in very old age. Findings are discussed with respect to theories of successful aging and differences between physical and psychological well-being.


GeroPsych ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 31-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ljiljana Kaliterna Lipovčan ◽  
Tihana Brkljačić ◽  
Zvjezdana Prizmić Larsen ◽  
Andreja Brajša-Žganec ◽  
Renata Franc

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.


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