The role of cognitive and social leisure activities in dementia risk: assessing longitudinal associations of modifiable and on-modifiable risk factors

Aims With the projected surge in global dementia cases and no curative treatment available, research is increasingly focusing on lifestyle factors as preventive measures. Social and cognitive leisure activities are promising targets, but it is unclear which types of activities are more beneficial. This study investigated the individual and joint contribution of cognitive and social leisure activities to dementia risk and whether they modify the risks associated with other potentially modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. Methods We used data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) from 7917 participants, followed up from 2008/2009 (Wave 4) until 2018/2019 (Wave 9) for incident dementia. Self-reported baseline cognitive activities (e.g. ‘reading the newspaper’), the number of social memberships (e.g. being a member of a social club) and social participation (e.g. ‘going to the cinema’) were clustered into high and low based on a median split. Subsequently, their individual and joint contribution to dementia risk, as well as their interaction with other dementia risk factors, were assessed with Cox regression models, adjusting for age, sex, level of education, wealth and a composite score of 11 lifestyle-related dementia risk factors. Results After a median follow-up period of 9.8 years, the dementia incidence rate was 54.5 cases per 10.000 person-years (95% CI 49.0–60.8). Adjusting for demographic and other lifestyle-related risk factors, higher engagement in cognitive activities (HR = 0.58; 95% CI 0.40–0.84), a greater number of social memberships (HR = 0.65; 95% CI 0.51–0.84) and more social participation (HR = 0.71; 95% CI 0.54–0.95) were associated with lower dementia risk. In a joint model, only engagement in cognitive activities (HR = 0.60; 95% CI 0.40–0.91) and social memberships (HR = 0.75; 95% CI 0.56–0.99) independently explained dementia risk. We did not find any interaction with other modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. Conclusions Engagement in cognitive and social leisure activities may be beneficial for overall dementia risk, independent of each other and other risk factors. Both types of activities may be potential targets for dementia prevention measures and health advice initiatives.

Physical Activity and Social Relationships on Social Engagement Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

This study examined physical activity (FITNESS) and social relationships (FRIENDS) on social engagement among community older adults. Members from two Florida aging-in-village programs participated. Three five-Likert scales were used: A 5-item FITNESS (weight, endurance, strength, flexibility, health), 4-item FRIEND (family, friends, neighbors, communication), and a 3-item social engagement scales (social-leisure activities, stay involved, healthy independent) (Cronbach alphas: .82~.92). Among the 96 participants, 79% were females, 91% were whites, 56% were married, 86% had college education, and 46% living alone. Mean age was 70.7 (SD=10.10). Participants reported at least 30-min. physical activity about 4.2 days per week. Overall social engagement was high (mean=4.38), FITNESS was median (mean=3.46), and FRINED was high (mean=4.19). FITNESS was significant to more 30-min. physical activity. Yet, higher FITNESS, FRIENDS, age, and volunteers were all significant to social engagement. Results has implications on promoting social engagement among older adults participating in aging-in-community programs.

Intergenerational Strain and Subjective Well-being: The Role of Leisure Activity Engagement

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.

Perception of Iraqi youth towards social and psychological impact of COVID-19

Background COVID-19 pandemic is recently considered as the most public health challenge with global dramatic changes on different aspects of life and health, including the psychological burden on individuals and communities. A convenience sample of youth (university students) aged 18–24 years was chosen in this cross-sectional study that was conducted during the period from October through December 2020. The questionnaire included questions about COVID-19 and its effect on mental and social wellbeing. Results Out of the total 762 young adults who responded, 62% were females, with a mean age of 20.75+2.33; 40.4% of them reported severely impaired social leisure activities; 14.7% expressed severely impaired private leisure activities; and 15.5% had severely impaired ability to form and maintain close relationships. Continuous feeling of nervousness, anxiety, stress, or exaggerated worries about the coronavirus was reported by 18%, while 24.9% felt sad or depressed all the time, and 26.4% of the female respondents had depressive symptoms versus 22.5% males. Conclusion The findings of this study indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic had created severe limitations on people’s social activities that may be associated with negative changes in mental condition.

Determinants of Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty in Public Transport: A PLS-SEM Approach

Public transport (PT) continues to receive much attention from many countries as a means to reduce traffic congestion, accident, and pollution. Moreover, PT can boost mobility, physical and social leisure activities for the public. To enhance PT ridership, it is important to enhance its customer loyalty. This study is designed to examine the interrelationships between factors such as accessibility, availability, reliability, comfortability, and safety and security, satisfaction, and loyalty. A total of 179 respondents participated in this study. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used for data analysis. The results show that availability, safety and security are positively related to user satisfaction. Moreover, satisfaction has been found to be positively related to loyalty. These results suggest that practitioners should focus on availability and safety and security which can enhance satisfaction followed by loyalty. Scholars are recommended to further study other variables which can impact on satisfaction and loyalty.

The perspective of emerging adults with Down syndrome – On quality of life and well-being

This study explored the thoughts of emerging adults with Down syndrome on quality of life and subjective well-being. Eight 22-year-olds participated in interviews. Data was analysed with content analysis. Four themes were revealed: Work based on interest and capability, having an active and social leisure life, a safe place to live and the use of information and communication technology. Two context related patterns were identified showing that quality of life and subjective well-being were related to individualised support to enhance independency in work, social leisure and place of living. Knowledge of their perception of independency and their awareness of needing customised help and support is valuable. This study supports the proposed emerging Quality of Life Supports Paradigm in the field of intellectual disabilities, which integrates key concepts of quality of life and supports.

The Effects of Leisure Activities on Self-Efficacy and Social Adjustment: A Study of Immigrants in South Korea

This study classified leisure activity types into active, passive, and social leisure activities based on theory, and focused on determining the type that has a significant influence on the self-efficacy and social adjustment of immigrants staying in South Korea. The results of multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), including post-hoc analysis using SPSS 23.0, were as follows: in principle, immigrants who participate in active or social leisure activities perceive their self-efficacy and social adjustment to be high. Differing slightly from this, the passive leisure activity type, which includes activities such as reading alone, listening to music, and surfing the web, may relieve their stress or provide them with psychological stability, but it was not found to be helpful in their adjustment to the new culture. The significance of this study lies in the finding that leisure activities help immigrants with social adjustment, in addition to physical and psychological aids that are already well known. We hope that the findings of the present study can be used as basic data for helping immigrants with smooth social adjustment and increasing their quality of life.

Participation in social leisure activities may benefit mental health particularly among individuals that lack social connectedness at work or school

Purpose Workplace and study environments generally provide opportunities for social connectedness, however, not all individuals in such settings are equally well connected. It is possible that potential mental health benefits of participation in social leisure activities may be greater for individuals that lack social connectedness through a workplace or study environment. This study aims to examine if the association between social leisure activities and mental health is moderated by the degree of social connectedness at work/school. Design/methodology/approach Data stem from 2,406 adults (age range 16-64 years old) from The Danish Mental Health and Well-Being Survey 2016. Validated scales were used to measure mental well-being and depression/anxiety symptoms. Multivariable linear regression analyses were conducted. Findings Participation in social leisure activities (i.e. participation in community/social groups such as a sports association, art club, book club, running group, card game club, cultural or political group) was positively associated with mental well-being and negatively associated with depression/anxiety symptoms. The associations were stronger among individuals feeling less socially connected at work/school and strongest among individuals that were unemployed or not enrolled in education. Originality/value Mental health promotion strategies may focus on promoting social leisure activities especially among unemployed or otherwise socially isolated groups, as well as among individuals that are not well connected at their workplace or school. Workplaces and schools may also monitor employee/student social connectedness and potentially intervene accordingly.