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Social engagement mediates the relationship between participation in social activities and psychological distress among older adults
- Authors:
- MACKENZIE Corey S., ABDULRAZAQ Shahad
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 25(2), 2021, pp.299-305.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objective: Participation in social activities often has beneficial effects on mental health among older adults, although the reasons why this is true (i.e., mechanisms or mediators) have received less empirical attention. The objective of this study is to examine whether involvement in social activities is associated with less psychological distress because it fosters social engagement. Method: We explored this hypothesis with a sample of 1089 community dwelling Canadians ranging in age from 65 to 93 who completed a cross-sectional online survey that included measures of social participation (i.e., number of activities, time spent in them, and volunteerism), social engagement (i.e., the number of friends and family they see, feel close to, and can discuss personal matters with), and psychological distress. Results: Mediation analyses confirmed our hypothesis that participation in social activities had beneficial effects on psychological distress through social engagement. That is, individuals who participated in greater numbers of social activities were more likely to report social engagement, and greater social engagement was associated with less psychological distress. In addition, when we controlled for the effect of social engagement, involvement in greater numbers of social activities was associated with greater distress. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that social engagement is a reason why participation in social activities has benefits for older adults’ mental health, and that increasing engagement, both within and outside of typical social activities, is a worthwhile target for efforts to improve mental health among the growing older adult population. (Edited publisher abstract)
Does gender matter to promote mental health through community engagement among older adults?
- Authors:
- YEO Lyn Hui Wen, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 26(1), 2022, pp.186-195.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: Community engagement is critical for healthy aging. However, how gender plays a role in mental health promotion of late life is less understood. The study objectives were to examine the association between community engagement and mental health and the effect of gender on this association in older adults. Methods: A door-to-door interviewer-administered survey was conducted with 497 older adults in a public housing town in Singapore. The survey used measures of General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), Community Integration Measure (CIM), FRAIL Index, Lubben Social Network, and community participation. Multiple regressions were conducted for psychological distress and social dysfunction, assessed by GHQ-12. After testing the main effects, the moderating effects of gender were explored in the regression models. Results: None of the demographic characteristics, except gender, was associated with psychological distress; men reported poorer mental health than women. In regressions, female, community attachment (assessed by CIM), and participation were associated with decreased psychological distress; social networks and community participation were associated with decreased social dysfunction. Interaction effects of gender and community participation were found in psychological distress, not social dysfunction. The reduction of psychological distress by community engagement was higher among males than females. Conclusions: The findings suggest that, besides the importance of community engagement on mental health among older adults, greater efforts should be placed on the development of gender-tailored community interventions for older adults to maximize its benefits. (Edited publisher abstract)
Linking openness to cognitive ability in older adulthood: the role of activity diversity
- Authors:
- JACKSON Joshua J., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 24(7), 2020, pp.1079-1087.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Relatively few studies have examined the reasons older individuals participate in activities that may benefit cognition with aging. Personality traits, particularly, openness to experience, are likely to influence how activities are selected. Openness to experience has also reliably shown to relate to cognitive and intellectual capacities. The current study tested whether diversity in activity helped to explain the overlap between openness to experience and cognitive functioning in an older adult sample (n = 476, mean age: 72.5 years). Results suggest that openness is a better predictor of activity diversity than of time spent engaged in activities or time spent in cognitively challenging activities. Further, activity diversity explained significant variance in the relationship between openness and cognitive ability for most constructs examined. This relationship did not vary with age, but differed as a function of education level, such that participating in a more diverse array of activities was most beneficial for those with less formal education. These results suggest that engagement with a diverse behavioral repertoire in late life may compensate for lack of early life resources. (Publisher abstract)
Music for life project: the role of participation in community music activities in promoting social engagement and well-being in older people
- Authors:
- HALLAM Susan, et al
- Publisher:
- University of Sheffield. NDA Research Programme
- Publication year:
- 2012
- Pagination:
- 7p.
- Place of publication:
- Sheffield
The potential of music activities for enhancing health and wellbeing in older adults as they move from the Third (50–75) to the Fourth age (over 75) have been demonstrated but research has tended to focus on singing. The aims of the Music for Life project were: to explore the way in which participating in creative music making can enhance the lives of older people; to consider the extent to which this may impact on social, emotional and cognitive well-being; and to consider the processes through which this occurs. Three case study sites acted as partners in the research: The Sage, Gateshead; Westminster Adult Education Service; and the Connect programme at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. The musical activities included; singing in small and large groups, rock groups, and classes for guitar, ukulele, steel pans, percussion, recorder, music appreciation and keyboard. A control group was made up of individuals attending language or art/craft classes, yoga, social support, a book group, and a social club. Measures of well being were consistently higher in the music groups. Participants reported social, cognitive, emotional and health benefits. Some barriers to participation were identified. Facilitators played a key role in fostering positive outcomes but few opportunities to meet their training needs were identified.
Perceived benefits of VFW post participation for older adults
- Authors:
- LEEDAHL Skye N., KOENIG Terry L., EKERDT David J.
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Gerontological Social Work, 54(7), October 2011, pp.712-730.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Voluntary involvement in organisations provides older adults with a source of civic engagement which can develop into supportive social networks. These supportive networks have been shown to contribute to health and well-being for this population. Older adults, as active members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), describe multiple benefits of participation in the organization to their overall well-being. This qualitative study, via a series of interviews, examined the perspectives of 20 active participants, aged 50 to 89, of a VFW Post and its Ladies Auxiliary. Results revealed that the VFW served as a primary source of cross-generational influence, emotional support and meaningful activity, and provided a safe and secure environment for members to enjoy. The authors provide additional information that social work researchers and practitioners could use to help increase older adults' civic engagement and address service gaps.
Pattern of participation in leisure activities among older people in relation to their health conditions and contextual factors: a survey in a Swedish urban area
- Authors:
- PAILLARD-BORG Stephanie, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 29(5), July 2009, pp.803-821.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
The objective of this study is to describe the pattern of participation in leisure activities in an older population in relation to contextual factors as well as to mental and physical health. A cohort of 1,623 participants aged 75 or older living in Stockholm, Sweden was asked to list all the leisure activities they were engaged in. These were successively organised into 31 major categories and further grouped into mental, social, physical, productive and recreational types. The pattern of participation was examined in relation to age, gender, contextual factors (education, social network) and health status (depressive symptoms, cognitive impairment, dementia, somatic diseases and physical limitation). In spite of their advanced age, the majority of the population was active, as 70 per cent had participated in at least one activity. Reading (19%) was the most prevalent individual activity, and mental activities (43%) the most prevalent activity type. Older age, female gender, low education status, having a poor or limited social network, mental disorders, and physical limitation, were all factors correlated with a decreased engagement in ‘at least one activity’. Contextual factors and health-related factors were related to the five activity types in different ways. The pattern of participation in leisure activities is associated with multiple factors and their recognition is essential to the facilitation of an active lifestyle in the older population.
Meaningful occupation with iPads: experiences of residents and staff in an older person’s mental health setting
- Authors:
- SWAN Jodie, et al
- Journal article citation:
- British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 81(11), 2018, pp.649-656.
- Publisher:
- Sage
Introduction: This study aimed to explore the experience of staff and residents of mental health residential care facilities, using iPads as a medium to engage in meaningful occupation. Method: A mixed method was used, which combined descriptive quantitative and thematic qualitative analysis. The Pan Occupational Paradigm was used as a theoretical framework, to maintain an occupational perspective. Residents participated in semi-structured interviews, and staff completed surveys and participated in a focus group or individual interview. The responses were then coded and analysed for their description of ‘doing’, ‘being’, ‘becoming’ and ‘belonging’ experiences. Findings: Analysis found that residents engaged in personally meaningful occupations with the iPads, often with staff facilitation. The study also found that staff and residents responded positively to the iPads, particularly regarding developing positive connections and opportunities for growth and mastery. However, barriers associated with resource availability (particularly hardware and infrastructure) were also identified. Conclusion: The use of iPads in these facilities provided opportunities for residents to engage in meaningful occupation, and overcome the occupational limitations inherent in the service setting. iPad use also enabled residents to engage in the community outside the facility. (Publisher abstract)
Holding on while letting go: trauma and growth on the pathway of dementia care in families
- Authors:
- McCORMACK Lynne, TILLOCK Katrina, WALMSLEY Bruce D.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 21(6), 2017, pp.658-667.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: Limited research explores the medical model of residential care in dementia from the family caregiver's perspectives. Method: This study sought subjective interpretations of nine family caregivers who experienced relinquishing their status as primary caregiver to a medical model, dementia care residential setting. Following semi-structured interviews and transcription data was analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results: One superordinate theme, navigating ‘system’ control, overarched three subordinate themes: connecting/disconnecting, windows closing, and capacity for sensation. Navigating system control reflected participants' experience of circumnavigating a medical system fraught with hierarchical challenges inclusive of a complex maze of contradictions that appeared threatening, yet appeared comforting; authoritarian, yet often humane. For them, care of self, while advocating for a family member with dementia, required vigilance to manoeuvre a system of care that imposed its uninvited authority at will. Connection/disconnection highlights the enduring struggle for inclusivity in caregiving despite the omnipresent trauma of windows closing. Psychological growth came to these participants through an unexpected capacity for sensation which offered a unique lens to communication with the family member with dementia primarily through sensory exchange. Conclusions: Models of dementia care and therapeutic interventions could inclusively involve dementia family caregivers who may be experiencing traumatic distress, and associated guilt, stigma, loss, and grief. Co-existing psychological wellbeing, however, is possible when family members are encouraged to transition communication to sensory awareness and exchange as windows close. (Publisher abstract)
Does participation in art classes influence performance on two different cognitive tasks?
- Authors:
- SCHINDLER Manuel, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 21(4), 2017, pp.439-444.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Objectives: Effects of two mentally stimulating art interventions on processing speed and visuo-spatial cognition were compared in three samples. Method: In a randomised 10-week art intervention study with a pre-post follow-up design, 113 adults (27 healthy older adults with subjective memory complaints, 50 healthy older adults and 36 healthy younger adults) were randomly assigned to one of two groups: visual art production or cognitive art evaluation, where the participants either produced or evaluated art. ANOVAs with repeated measures were computed to observe effects on the Symbol-Digit Test, and the Stick Test. Results: Significant Time effects were found with regard to processing speed and visuo-spatial cognition. Additionally, there was found a significant Time × Sample interaction for processing speed. The effects proved robust after testing for education and adding sex as additional factor. Conclusion: Mental stimulation by participation in art classes leads to an improvement of processing speed and visuo-spatial cognition. Further investigation is required to improve understanding of the potential impact of art intervention on cognitive abilities across adulthood. (Publisher abstract)
Participation in productive activities and health outcomes among older adults in urban China
- Authors:
- LI Yawen, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Gerontologist, 54(5), 2014, pp.784-796.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Purpose of the Study: This study examined whether participating in productive activities was associated with better health outcomes among older adults in urban China, including analysis of potential gender differences. Design and Methods: Using a sample of 10,016 urban Chinese adults aged 60 years or older from the 2006 Sample Survey of the Aged Population in Urban/Rural China, we regressed measures of self-rated health, functional health, and depression on productive activities (paid employment, helping with family, and volunteering), controlling for sociodemographic variables. Results: Those who provided assistance to family members or volunteered had significantly lower levels of depression and better functional and self-rated health than their counterparts. Older adults with paid job, providing family assistance, or volunteering reported significantly lower levels of depression and better functional and self-rated health than those without those activities. However, only older men with paid employment reported significantly less depression, and the effect of family assistance on functional health also differed by gender. Implications: As research increasingly demonstrates the role of productive activities in maintaining health among older adults, our findings can help practitioners or policy makers strategically select or develop health programs to promote productive activities among older adults in urban China. (Publisher abstract)