Recreation and Quality of Life in Old Age: A Causal Analysis

Abstract

This study examines the interrelationships among recreation and other life circumstance variables and quality of life. LISREL, a causal analysis technique, was used to test a theoretical model based on previous gerontological research. Results indicate that the variables of sex, education, religiosity, marital status, and age are significantly related to income, health, recreation activity participation, and recreation satisfaction. However these variables do not significantly influence quality of life directly. The only significant, direct predictor of quality of life is satisfaction with recreation.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Adams, D.L. (1971). Correlates of satisfaction among the elderly. Gerontologist, 11, 64-68.

Beard, J.G. , & Ragheb, M.G. (1980). Measuring leisure satisfaction. Journal of Leisure Research, 12, 20-33.

Bull, C.N. , & Aucorn, J. (1975). Voluntary association participation and life satisfaction: A replication note. Journal of Gerontology, 30, 73-76.

DeCarlo, T.J. (1974). Recreation participation patterns and successful aging. Journal of Gerontology, 24, 438-447.

Gubrium, J.F. , & Lynott, R.J. (1983). Rethinking life satisfaction. Human Organization, 24, 30-38.

Havighurst, R. (1957). The leisure activities of the middle aged. American Journal of Sociology, 63, 152-162.

Heppe, G. , & Ray, R.O. (1983, October). Recreational activity breadth and intensity and the relationship to life happiness of older adults. Paper presented at the meeting of the National Recreation and Park Association , Kansas City, MO.

Howe, C.Z. (1988). Selected social gerontology theories and older adult leisure involvement: A review of the literature. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 6, 448-463.

Hultsman, J.T. , & Russell, R.V. (1988). Assessing the reliability of Neulinger's paradigm .

10.

Journal of Leisure Research, 20 1-9.

11.

Keller, M.J. (1983, October). The relationships between leisure and life satisfaction among older women. Paper presented at the meeting of the National Recreation and Park Association, Kansas City, MO.

12.

Kelly, J.R. , Steinkamp, M.W. , & Kelly, J.R. (1987). Later-life satisfaction: Does leisure contribute ? Leisure Sciences, 9, 189-200.

13.

Kozma, A. , & Stones, M.J. (1978). Some research issues and findings in the assessment of well-being in the elderly. Canadian Psychology Review, 19, 241-249.

14.

Kozma, A. , & Stones, M.J. (1980). The measurement of happiness: Development of the Memorial University of Newfoundland Scale of Happiness (MUNSCH. Journal of Gerontology, 35, 906-912.

15.

Larson, R. (1978). Thirty years of research on the subjective well-being of older adults. Journal of Gerontology, 33, 109-125.

16.

Lawton, M.P. (1975). The Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale: A revision. Journal of Gerontology, 30, 85-89.

17.

Lemon, B. W, Bengtson, V.L. , & Peterson, J.A. (1972). An exploration of the activity theory of aging: Activity types and life satisfaction among in-movers to a retirement community. Journal of Gerontology, 27, 511-523.

18.

Lohmann, N. (1980). Life satisfaction research in aging: Implications for policy development. In N. Datan & N. Lohmann (Eds.), Transitions of Aging. New York: Academic Press .

19.

Maddox, G. L. (Ed.). (1987). The encyclopedia of aging. New York: Springer.

20.

McKechnie, G.E. (1975). Leisure activity blank. Palo Alto, CA: Consulting Psychologists Press.

21.

Neulinger, J. (1974). The psychology of leisure: Research approaches to the study of leisure. Springfield, IL: Thomas

22.

Neulinger, J. (1986). What Am I Doing? The WAID. Dolgeville, NY: Leisure Institute.

23.

Okun, M.A. , & Stock, W.A. (1987). Correlates and components of subjective well-being among the elderly. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 6, 95-112.

24.

Pedhazur, E.J. (1982). Multiple regression in behavioral research. New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.

25.

Peppers, L.G. (1976). Patterns of leisure and adjustment to retirement . Gerontologist, 16, 441-446.

26.

Ragheb, M.G. , & Griffith, C.A. (1982). The contribution of leisure participation and leisure satisfaction to life satisfaction of older persons . Journal of Leisure Research, 14, 295-306.

27.

Riddick, C.C. (1985a). Life satisfaction determinants of older males and females. Leisure Sciences, 7, 47-63.

28.

Riddick, C.C. (1985b). Life satisfaction for older female homemakers, retirees, and workers. Research on Aging, 7, 383-393.

29.

Riddick, C.C. (1986). Leisure satisfaction precursors. Journal of Leisure Research, 18, 259-265.

30.

Riddick, C.C. , & Daniel, S.N. (1984). The relative contribution of leisure activities and other factors to the mental health of older women. Journal of Leisure Research, 16, 136-148.

31.

Russell, R.V. (1985). Simultaneous structural equations in leisure research . Society and Leisure, 8, 371-383.

32.

Russell, R.V. (1987). The importance of recreation satisfaction and activity participation to the life satisfaction of age-segregated retirees Journal of Leisure Research, 19, 273-283.

33.

Sneegas, J.J. (1986). Components of life satisfaction in middle and later life adults: Perceived social competence, leisure participation, and leisure satisfaction. Journal of Leisure Research, 18, 248-258.

34.

Stage, F.K. (1989). An alternative to path analysis: A demonstration of LISREL using students' commitment to an institution. Journal of College Student Development, 30, 129-135.

35.

Stock, W.A. , Okun, M.A. , Haring, M.J. , & Witter, R.A. (1983). Age and subjective well-being: A meta-analysis . Psychology and Aging, 1, 91-102.

36.

Ward, R.A. , Sherman, S.R. , & La Gory, M. (1984). Subjective network assessments and subjective well-being. Journal of Gerontology, 39, 93-101.