Volume 10, Issue 2

No abstract available

No abstract available

This article introduces some traditional mixed with some novel ways to think about the human aging experience. We acknowledge that many, if not most, adults who live into their fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth decade, or even longer, will likely experience physical, social, and emotional losses of one kind or another. While we acknowledge the increased risk of facing losses with age, we aspire to bring a different focus to the process of aging. Through the interplay between theory and practice as set forth through Laura’s academic perspectives and Charly’s lived experience, the stage is set for fresh questions with which to shape future research on the role that leisure plays in positive aging. We highlight both contemporary theoretical ideas and one person’s reality-based experience with aging. The article introduces this special issue by bringing an alternative voice to the human aging experience. After all, even in the face of loss in old age, Baltes and Baltes’ theory of Selective Optimization with Compensation (SOC) provides us with the tools to make later life a good life, and to make living long the opportunity to age well.

There is compelling evidence supporting the protective effects that different leisure activities have on dementia. The focus of this study was to explore the degree to which leisure experiences that occur during the lifespan prevent or delay the onset of dementia. Greater protective effects against dementia were associated with engagement in a higher number of activities and greater frequency of participation. Leisure activities were divided into three main groupings: mental, social, and physical activities. All activity groups present positive effects separately; however, leisure activities involving these three components at the same time seem to be most beneficial for preventing or reducing the risk of dementia in later life.

More adults than ever before are transitioning into the retirement stage of the life. For many, retirement is a period of increased leisure participation. The objective of the study was to identify the impact of leisure participation on the retirement experience. Subjects were 116 retirees located in the New South Wales coastal town of Port Macquarie. A 7- day time-use diary and a four page questionnaire were administered. Time-use was recorded in 15 min bundles so as to determine retirees’ leisure repertoires and leisure participation levels (specifically active, passive, and social leisure). Retirees’ life, leisure, health, and retirement satisfaction were also scored and their socio-demographic characteristics identified. Analysis of the data revealed that 60% of all time given over to leisure participation was spent undertaking passive leisure activities, followed by active leisure activities (25%), and then social leisure activities (15%). Retired males participated significantly more in passive leisure activities, while retired females participated significantly more in social leisure activities. Leisure participation was not found to significantly influence life satisfaction and retirement satisfaction, although certain leisure activities were found to significantly influence leisure satisfaction and health satisfaction. Retirement satisfaction scores also significantly influenced total weekly passive leisure participation. Further, certain measures of satisfaction were found to significantly influence others: life satisfaction significantly influenced health, retirement, and leisure satisfaction scores; retirement satisfaction significantly influenced leisure, life, and health satisfaction scores; and health satisfaction scores significantly influenced life and retirement satisfaction. Female retirees scored higher health satisfaction scores than male retirees.

In spite of the known benefits of physical activity participation, many adults still do not engage in physical activities. It is important to understand mechanisms that may facilitate the negotiation of physical activity constraints. Using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health as the conceptual framework, this study analyzed secondary data from two yoga trials to explore potential mechanisms related to physical activity constraint negotiation. The results of data analysis support the idea that negotiation occurred both in mental body functions and in the environment. The Broaden and Build Theory of Positive Emotions provides further explanation for the negotiation of mental functions and environment. Yoga, an activity known to enhance positive emotions, may reduce constraints through broadening the individual’s experience and opening the individual’s mind to new opportunities and activities.

This paper analyses the contribution that cultural activities make to social integration and satisfaction with life for older adults, using a nationally representative Dutch sample. Older people participate less frequently in social gatherings and have fewer close contacts than the adult population in general. They also experience increased feelings of loneliness. In contrast, older Dutch adults feel better integrated socially, which suggests that feelings of social integration and loneliness are independent of one another. Older adults show higher participation rates in highbrow activities compared to the adult population as a whole. This study, however, shows that lowbrow or undiscriminating behaviours may increase social integration and satisfaction with life. Consequently, it may be appropriate to stimulate older people to participate frequently in lowbrow activities such as popular music events, cabaret, and cinema. Public policy-makers, therefore, can consider changing focus from highbrow to lowbrow activities in order to respond to the social challenges associated with older age.

Although the idea of “constraint negotiation” is quite common in the leisure studies literature, relatively little of this work has focused on aging or the strategies used to overcome health-related constraints to leisure activity participation. This article explores how older people with chronic illnesses adapt to constraints to leisure. Semi-structured in-person interviews were conducted with 18 community-dwelling older adults with a variety of chronic conditions. Analysis of narrative data indicated a range of emotional and behavioral responses to constraints. Emotional responses grouped into: (a) allowing for mourning, (b) appreciating what one still has, (c) realizing that things can be worse, (d) welcoming the constraint, and (e) all or nothing. Behavioral reactions included: (a) substitution, (b) compensating to overcome constraints, and (c) seizing opportunities for self-validation in disability-relevant volunteer work and becoming someone “new”. Findings are discussed in terms of the models of constraint negotiation and selective optimization. Findings also indicate that health constraints require a process of ongoing negotiations, which often result in positive changes.

The aim of this project was to conduct a case study of the impact of a senior center SeniorNet computer education program and computer use on the lives of individual older adults. The number of older adults using computer technology will increase dramatically in the next decade. This paper reviews current and past literature regarding older adults and computer technology. Qualitative methods were used to examine the effects of computer technology use and involvement on the lives of seniors who participated in a municipal center SeniorNet program. Participants experienced benefits from participation in terms of social, civic, health, and intellectual development as well as an increased sense of well-being. There were also instances of negative effects from use and participation.

This paper reports on the evaluation of a Mobility Assist program used to accommodate aging and older adults with disabilities at a leading event facility. Researchers conducted an on-site event analysis, interviews, and legal audit to determine whether the Mobility Assist program accommodates wheelchair and seating accessibility according to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Chapter Four, Accessible Routes, and Chapter Eight, Wheelchair Spaces, of the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines. Findings indicate that the Mobility Assist program meets or exceeds the Americans with Disabilities Act and Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines requirements. The Mobility Assist program not only effectively accommodates older adults with and without disabilities or mobility limitations, it demonstrates how similar programs can enhance access for older adults so they, their families, and friends can enjoy equitable access to leisure venues.

Project GAIN (Golf: Accessible and Inclusive Networks) is a theory-based curriculum developed to promote an active life-style and inclusion of individuals with disabilities by enhancing their self-efficacy through golf. Over a 5-year period (2004–2008), 814 participants with and without disabilities from six cities across the USA formally enrolled in Project GAIN. Mentors were used to increase lesson participation, engagement between lessons, and inclusion in golf-related activities. For this study, data from 327 individuals with disabilities and 295 mentors with and without disabilities were used for analysis purposes. Data included measures of perceived self-efficacy in golf, future plans in golf, and a weekly log of golf-related activities. Paired-samples t-tests and repeated measures ANOVA were utilized to examine the effects of Project GAIN on participants’ intention to participate and actual participation in golf-related activities. Results indicated that both study groups (individuals with disabilities and mentors) significantly increased their self-efficacy in golf as well as their intention to play golf in future. Significant increases in golf-related activity were reported in weekly logs over the 5 weeks of data collection. Bonferroni post hoc tests were employed to examine mean differences between weekly observations. Significant mean differences between weeks 1 and 3, and 1 and 5 were found. The Project GAIN curriculum successfully contributed to improving participants’ belief that they could play golf. The study findings support the effectiveness of Project GAIN in increasing golf-related activities that may lead to increased inclusion and physical activity.

The Leisure Diagnostic Battery (LDB) is a theoretically based self-report instrument that has found wide acceptance in the therapeutic recreation community. Psychometric documentation on the LDB Long Form A is available. There is, however, a paucity of psychometric information on the Long Form C adult version. In order to investigate the reliability of Parts I, II, and III of the LDB Form C scales, as well as derive preliminary normative data, test results from 54 college students who are deaf were analyzed. In order to measure a set of homogeneous constructs in this particular population, the results of reliability analyses supported dropping one of the subscales (Needs) and adjusting the remaining four subscales of the Perceived Freedom in Leisure scale (Competence, Control, Depth of Involvement, and Playfulness). Only two of the eight subscales of the Barriers to Leisure Involvement (time and money) emerged as viable instrumentation to use with college students who are deaf. In terms of activity and style preferences of deaf collegians, sports and nature/outdoor activities emerged as popular activity domains; whereas stylistically, this population preferred group, active, and risk activities. Normative data for the sample are presented and compared with results reported for hearing college students. The findings provide support for attribution theory and indicate that deaf college students experience independence and freedom as well as successful leisure engagements.

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No abstract available