2017 Volume 6 Issue 3 Pages 249-257
Objective: This research was aimed to clarify the relationship between the importance of participation in preventative healthcare classes by elderly and attitude toward life.
Methods: Questionnaires were distributed to elderly participants (age ≥ 65 years) who were participating in preventative healthcare classes in A city. The questionnaires contained items concerning individual characteristics, the importance of class participation, and the participant’s attitude toward life (e.g., subjective feelings of happiness). Factor analysis and multiple logistics regression analysis were performed to understand the relationship between the importance of class participation and the participant’s attitude toward life.
Results: Questionnaire responses were obtained from 314 out of 378 surveyed participants (effective response rate: 75.4%). Two factors were extracted to the importance of participation in preventative healthcare classes: “Promotion of self-growth” and “Stimulation of psychosomatic and social aspects”. Two factors were extracted to the attitude toward life: “Spiritual and social enrichment” and “Health-oriented”. Both factors of the importance of participation were significantly related to the “Health-oriented” factor of attitude toward life (odds ratios respectively= 15.7 and 3.85). “Promotion of self-growth” was also related to the “Spiritual and social enrichment” factor of attitude toward life (odds ratio = 1.12).
Discussion: Since the importance of participation is related to attitude toward life, it is necessary to develop preventative healthcare classes focused on elderly people’s attitude toward life.
