Effects of Leisure Activities in Older Adults

Abstract

  This study aimed to investigate the effects, abilities, and values that older adults obtained from leisure activities through a questionnaire survey. We conducted an independent t-test using the 23 items representing the effects of leisure activities at old-age to determine the gender, age, and employment differences regarding the impacts. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was also used to examine the effects that older adults needed from leisure activities. According to each average score of the 23 positive effects on leisure activities, communication with others has an important effect on leisure activities in older adults. Results of the t-test showed that women felt healthier compared to men. The old-old and oldest-old groups demonstrated a higher level of satisfaction with team activities and being recognized for their performance in leisure activities than the young-old groups. The EFA yielded the four factors “Body health”, “Communication”, “Learning opportunities”, and “Motivation”. Additionally, we added an independent t-test to examine the differences of the four factors in gender, age, and employment groups. It was found that “Body health” was significantly higher in women. “Communication” and “Motivation” were also significantly higher in the old-old and oldest-old groups. The non-employed had more “Motivation” for leisure activities than the employed because the results were likely to be influenced by their advanced age. The present study may help older adults to reconsider how to spend their leisure time, and how to become involved in leisure activities that can develop their abilities in their lives.