Engagement or Enjoyment? Attitudes of Older Adults in Group Lunch vs. Lifelong Learning Programs
Engagement or Enjoyment? Attitudes of Older Adults in Group Lunch vs. Lifelong Learning Programs
ES评分0
| DOI | 10.20900/agmr20250002 |
| 刊名 |
AGMR
|
| 年,卷(期) | 2025, 7(1) |
| 作者 |
|
| 作者单位 |
School of Global Health Management & Informatics, College of Community Innovation & Education, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32801, USA ; |
| 摘要 |
Purpose: This study explores aging attitudes among older adults participating in two distinct community programs: neighborhood lunch (NLP) and lifelong learning (LLP) programs.
Methods: Participants were recruited from NLP and LLP programs within the same county in Florida, and an aging attitudes scale originally developed by German researchers was administered.
Results: A total of 193 participants, with a mean age of 73.2 (SD = 7.78), completed the survey, with 43% from NLP. LLP participants scored significantly higher on statements associated with engagement, such as “would like to have responsibilities”, “have a task”, “do unpaid volunteer work”, and “help others” (p < 0.001). Conversely, NLP participants rated higher on statements reflecting enjoyment-oriented attitudes, such as “no longer have to contribute to society”, “want to enjoy life”, and “finally want to rest and relax” (all p < 0.001). Exploratory factor analysis using principal component extraction and varimax rotation revealed a robust two-factor structure that aligned with theoretical expectations of engagement and enjoyment orientations, explaining 60% of the variance (30% per factor). The scales demonstrated acceptable reliability, with Cronbach’s alpha of 0.764 (CITC: 0.457–0.660) for the 4-item engagement scale and 0.634 (CITC: 0.379–0.499) for the 3-item enjoyment scale. These results indicate good internal consistency, with each item contributing meaningfully to the overall construct. Regression analyses on “Engagement”, controlling for age, race, marital status, and education (F = 8.49, p < 0.001), showed lower engagement attitudes in the NLP group (β = −0.564, p < 0.001). Similarly, analyses on “Enjoyment” (F = 6.33, p < 0.001) found higher enjoyment in the NLP group (β = 0.331, p = 0.014) but lower enjoyment among those over 75 (β = −0.191, p = 0.02). Discussion: These findings suggest that LLP participants are more engagement-oriented, while NLP participants favor enjoyment in their aging attitudes. The validated 7-item scale provides a practical tool for assessing aging attitudes in community-dwelling older adults, offering insights for developing tailored programs and services.
|
| Abstract |
Purpose: This study explores aging attitudes among older adults participating in two distinct community programs: neighborhood lunch (NLP) and lifelong learning (LLP) programs.
Methods: Participants were recruited from NLP and LLP programs within the same county in Florida, and an aging attitudes scale originally developed by German researchers was administered.
Results: A total of 193 participants, with a mean age of 73.2 (SD = 7.78), completed the survey, with 43% from NLP. LLP participants scored significantly higher on statements associated with engagement, such as “would like to have responsibilities”, “have a task”, “do unpaid volunteer work”, and “help others” (p < 0.001). Conversely, NLP participants rated higher on statements reflecting enjoyment-oriented attitudes, such as “no longer have to contribute to society”, “want to enjoy life”, and “finally want to rest and relax” (all p < 0.001). Exploratory factor analysis using principal component extraction and varimax rotation revealed a robust two-factor structure that aligned with theoretical expectations of engagement and enjoyment orientations, explaining 60% of the variance (30% per factor). The scales demonstrated acceptable reliability, with Cronbach’s alpha of 0.764 (CITC: 0.457–0.660) for the 4-item engagement scale and 0.634 (CITC: 0.379–0.499) for the 3-item enjoyment scale. These results indicate good internal consistency, with each item contributing meaningfully to the overall construct. Regression analyses on “Engagement”, controlling for age, race, marital status, and education (F = 8.49, p < 0.001), showed lower engagement attitudes in the NLP group (β = −0.564, p < 0.001). Similarly, analyses on “Enjoyment” (F = 6.33, p < 0.001) found higher enjoyment in the NLP group (β = 0.331, p = 0.014) but lower enjoyment among those over 75 (β = −0.191, p = 0.02). Discussion: These findings suggest that LLP participants are more engagement-oriented, while NLP participants favor enjoyment in their aging attitudes. The validated 7-item scale provides a practical tool for assessing aging attitudes in community-dwelling older adults, offering insights for developing tailored programs and services.
|
| 关键词 |
aging attitudes; engagement; enjoyment; neighborhood lunch program (NLP); lifelong learning program (LLP)
|
| KeyWord |
aging attitudes; engagement; enjoyment; neighborhood lunch program (NLP); lifelong learning program (LLP)
|
| 基金项目 | |
| 页码 | - |
1.World Health Organization. Ageing and health. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/ageing-and-health. Accessed on 24 May 2024.
2.Nakamura JS, Hong JH, Smith J, Chopik WJ, Chen Y, VanderWeele TJ, et al. Associations between satisfaction with aging and health and well-being outcomes among older US adults. JAMA Netw Open. 2022;5(2):e2147797.
3.Bryant C, Bei B, Gilson K, Komiti A, Jackson H, Judd F. The relationship between attitudes to aging and physical and mental health in older adults. Int Psychogeriatr. 2012;24(10):1674-83.
4.Levy B, Slade M, Kunkel S, Kasl S. Longevity increased by positive self-perceptions of aging. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2002;83(2):261-70.
5.Smith J, Clarke P, Fullen M. Perceptions of aging and wellness engagement among life plan community residents. Educ Gerontol. 2023;49(3):240-50.
6.Erikson E. The life cycle completed. New York (US): WW Norton & Company; 1982.
7.Kang H, Kim H. Ageism and psychological well-being among older adults: A systematic review. Gerontol Geriatr Med. 2022;8:23337214221087023.
8.Stephan Y, Sutin AR, Wurm S, Terracciano A. Subjective aging and incident cardiovascular disease. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2021;76(5):910-9.
9.Levy BR, Slade MD, Pietrzak RH, Ferrucci L. Positive age beliefs protect against dementia even among elders with high-risk gene. PLoS One. 2018;13(3):e0191004.
10.Bellingtier JA, Neupert SD. Negative aging attitudes predict greater reactivity to daily stressors in older adults. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2018;73(7):1155-9.
11.Reichstadt J, Sengupta G, Depp C, Palinkas L, Jeste D. Older adults’ perspectives on successful aging: Qualitative interviews. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2010;18(7):567-75.
12.Reich A, Claunch K, Verdeja M, Dungan M, Anderson S, Clayton C, et al. What does “successful aging” mean to you?—Systematic review and cross-cultural comparison of lay perspectives of older adults in 13 countries, 2010–2020. J Cross Cult Gerontol. 2020;35:455-78.
13.Rowe JW, Kahn RL. Successful aging. Gerontologist. 1997;37(4):433-40.
14.Zhang K, Zhang W. Leisure activities and healthy aging. In: Gu D, Dupre ME, editors. Encyclopedia of Gerontology and Population Aging. Cham (Switzerland): Springer; 2019. p. 1-8.
15.Stowe JD, Cooney TM. Examining Rowe and Kahn’s concept of successful aging: Importance of taking a life course perspective. Gerontologist. 2015;55(1):43-50.
16.Sharif MA, Mogilner C, Hershfield HE. Having too little or too much time is linked to lower subjective well-being. J Pers Soc Psychol. 2021;121(4):933.
17.Pressman SD, Matthews KA, Cohen S, Martire LM, Scheier M, Baum A, et al. Association of enjoyable leisure activities with psychological and physical well-being. Psychosom Med. 2009;71(7):725-32.
18.Kleiber D, Nimrod G. “I can’t be very sad”: Constraint and adaptation in the leisure of a “learning in retirement” group. Leis Stud. 2009;28:67-83.
19.Hurd AH, Anderson DM. Park and recreation professional’s handbook with online resource. Champaign (US): Human Kinetics; 2011.
20.Hou SI, Cao X. Promising aging in community models in the U.S.: Village, Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC), Cohousing, and University-Based Retirement Community (UBRC). Gerontol Geriatr Med. 2021;7:1-15.
21.Hou SI, Cao X, Holmes K. Housing models promoting aging in community – A brief report on key lessons learned. J Gerontol Geriatr Med. 2021;7:098. doi: 10.24966/GGM-8662/100098
22.Cao X, Hou SI. Aging in Community Mechanism: Transforming Communities to Achieving Person–Environment Fit Across Time. J Aging Environ. 2022;36(3):256-73.
23.Kornadt AE, Rothermund K. Dimensionen und Deutungsmuster des Alterns – Vorstellungen vom Altern, Altsein und der Lebensgestaltung im Alter
[Dimensions and interpretative patterns of aging – Attitudes about aging, being old and ways of living in old age]. Z Gerontol Geriatr. 2011;44(5):291-8. German.
24.de Paula Couto MCP, Fung H, Graf S, Hess TM, Liou S, Nikitin J, et al. Predictors and consequences of endorsing prescriptive views of active aging and altruistic disengagement. Front Psychol. 2022;13:807726.
25.North MS, Fiske ST. Act your (old) age: Prescriptive, ageist biases over succession, consumption, and identity. Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2013;39(6):720-34.
26.Pavlova MK, Silbereisen RK. Perceived level and appraisal of the growing expectations for active ageing among the young-old in Germany. Res Aging. 2012;34(1):80-99.
27.Pavlova MK, Silbereisen RK. Perceived expectations for active aging, formal productive roles, and psychological adjustment among the young-old. Res Aging. 2016;38(1):26-50.
28.Hess TM. Selective engagement of cognitive resources: Motivational influences on older adults’ cognitive functioning. Perspect Psychol Sci. 2014;9(4):388-407.
29.Hess TM, Growney CM, O’Brien EL, Neupert SD, Sherwood A. The role of cognitive costs, attitudes about aging, and intrinsic motivation in predicting engagement in everyday activities. Psychol Aging. 2018;33(6):953-64.
30.Kleiber D, McGuire FA, Aybar-Damali B, Norman W. Having more by doing less: The paradox of leisure strains in later life. J Leis Res. 2008;40:343-59.
31.Wenzel KC, Van Puymbroeck M, Gagnon R, Lewis S, McGuire F, Vidotto J. The Attributes and Characteristics of Leisure Activity Engagement that Foster Cognition in Aging: A Scoping Review. J Cogn Enhanc. 2024;8:118-54.
32.Nimrod G, Adoni H. Leisure-styles and life satisfaction among recent retirees in Israel. Ageing Soc. 2006;26(4):607-30.
33.Havighurst RJ. Successful aging. Gerontologist. 1961;1:8-13.
34.Faílde Garrido JM, Dapía Conde MD, Vázquez Vázquez MA, Vázquez Rodríguez L. Are older adults’ leisure patterns consistent with the active ageing model? The influence of the ageist stereotypes. Soc Policy Soc. 2022;21(4):575-96.
35.Giovannini S, Onder G, van der Roset HG, Topinkova E, Gindin J, Cipriani MC, et al. Use of antidepressant medications among older adults in European long-term care facilities: a cross-sectional analysis from the SHELTER study. BMC Geriatr. 2020;20:310.