1. Predictors of social leisure activities in older Europeans with and without multimorbidity
- Author
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Andrea E. Schmidt, Cristina Gagliardi, Stanisława Golinowska, Amílcar Moreira, Agnieszka Sowa, Andrea Principi, Juliane Winkelmann, Suzan van der Pas, Dorly J. H. Deeg, Henrike Galenkamp, Epidemiology and Data Science, EMGO - Quality of care, and Repositório da Universidade de Lisboa
- Subjects
Gerontology ,Leisure activities ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Health (social science) ,Poison control ,Suicide prevention ,Occupational safety and health ,Chronic disease ,Health(social science) ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,030502 gerontology ,Injury prevention ,medicine ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Socioeconomic status ,Original Investigation ,Aged ,business.industry ,Public health ,Human factors and ergonomics ,Social participation ,Social engagement ,3. Good health ,Geriatrics and Gerontology ,0305 other medical science ,business - Abstract
Older people spend much time participating in leisure activities, such as taking part in organized activities and going out, but the extent of participation may differ according to both individual and environmental resources available. Chronic health problems become more prevalent at higher ages and likely necessitate tapping different resources to maintain social participation. This paper compares predictors of participation in social leisure activities between older people with and those without multimorbidity. The European Project on Osteoarthritis (EPOSA) was conducted in Germany, UK, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain and Sweden (N = 2942, mean age 74.2 (5.2)). Multivariate regression was used to predict social leisure participation and degree of participation in people with and without multimorbidity. Fewer older people with multimorbidity participated in social leisure activities (90.6 %), compared to those without multimorbidity (93.9 %). The frequency of participation was also lower compared to people without multimorbidity. Higher socioeconomic status, widowhood, a larger network of friends, volunteering, transportation possibilities and having fewer depressive symptoms were important for (the degree of) social leisure participation. Statistically significant differences between the multimorbidity groups were observed for volunteering and driving a car, which were more important predictors of participation in those with multimorbidity. In contrast, self-reported income appeared more important for those without multimorbidity, compared to those who had multimorbidity. Policies focusing on social (network of friends), physical (physical performance) and psychological factors (depressive symptoms) and on transportation possibilities are recommended to enable all older people to participate in social leisure activities.
- Published
- 2016