Abstract
This study examined how social factors affect participation in community-based activities (local event groups, neighborhood associations, senior citizen clubs, hobby groups, intergenerational groups, and volunteer groups) among community-dwelling older adults by gender. The participants were 3,058 older adults who lived in Ayase City, Kanagawa Prefecture. The results from 1,266 older adults, excluding those showing long-term care certification, indicated that females participated more in community-based activities than males. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the relationship between community-based activities and social factors such as community attachment, bonding and bridging social capital, trust in neighbors, norms of reciprocity, and ongoing contact with neighbors vary according to gender. To promote participation of community-based activities in older adults, it is important for occupational therapists to focus on the characteristics of social factors among older adults in the target community.
