With the increase in the elderly population all over the world, researchers have recently focused on the importance of happiness and successful aging.
Objective
This study aimed to investigate the effect of leisure involvement on happiness and successful aging levels in the elderly.
Method
The personal information form, the leisure involvement scale, the Oxford happiness scale, and the successful aging scale were used in this study. The convenience sampling method was preferred in the current study. The data of the study were collected from individuals who performed leisure activities in recreational parks in Istanbul. The Pearson correlation analysis and linear regression analysis were used for the analysis of obtained data. A total of 227 (MAge = 64.32 ± 2.74) elderly participated in the study voluntarily.
Results
There was a positive relationship between leisure involvement with happiness (r = .381) and healthy aging (r = .311). Moreover, when the results regarding the main hypothesis of the research were examined, it was observed that leisure involvement had a positive effect on happiness and successful aging (p < .001). Accordingly, it was determined that the participants’ leisure involvements predicted their happiness and successful aging levels by 14% (adj.R2 = .141) and 9% (adj.R2 = .093), respectively.
Conclusion
Elderly over the age of sixty with high levels of leisure involvement may feel better as physically and psychologically, they can become happier humans and achieve more successful aging.
BestJRDavisJCLiu-AmbroseT. Longitudinal analysis of physical performance, functional status, physical activity, and mood in relation to executive function in older adults who fall. J Am Geriatr Soc2015; 63: 1112–1120.
2.
KatzSDownsTDCashHR,et al.Progress in development of the index of ADL. Gerontologist1970; 10: 20–30.
3.
FranceschiCGaragnaniPMorsianiC, et al.The continuum of aging and age-related diseases: common mechanisms but different rates. Front Med2018; 5: 61.
FriesJF. Successful aging an emerging paradigm of gerontology. Clin Geriatr Med2002; 18: 371–382.
6.
PlassmanBLWilliamsJWJrBurkeJR, et al.Systematic review: factors associated with risk for and possible prevention of cognitive decline in later life. Ann Intern Med2010; 153: 182–193.
7.
BullFCAl-AnsariSSBiddleS, et al.World Health Organization 2020 guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Br J Sports Med2020; 54: 1451–1462.
8.
AyhanC. Tekrar katılım niyetinin yordayıcıları: Serbest zaman ilgilenimi, serbest zaman tatmini, rekreasyonel akış deneyimi ve rekreasyonel fayda. Ankara: Gazi Kitabevi, 2023.
9.
ChengTMHungSHChenMT. The influence of leisure involvement on flow experience during hiking activity: using psychological commitment as a mediate variable. Asia Pac J Tour Res2016; 21: 1–19.
10.
SelinSWHowardDR. Ego involvement and leisure behavior: a conceptual specification. J Leis Res1988; 20: 237–244.
11.
HavitzMEDimancheF. Leisure involvement revisited: conceptual conundrums and measurement advances. J Leis Res1997; 29: 245–278.
12.
FunkDCRidingerLLMoormanAM. Exploring origins of involvement: understanding the relationship between consumer motives and involvement with professional sport teams. Leis Sci2004; 26: 35–61.
13.
GodbeyGC. Leisure in your life: an exploration. Third Edition. Pennsylvania: Venture Publishing, 1990.
14.
HavitzMEHowardDR. How enduring is enduring involvement? A seasonal examination of three recreational activities. J Consum Psychol1995; 4: 255–276.
15.
GahwilerPHavitzME. Towards an understanding of leisure social worlds, involvement, psychological commitment, and behavioral loyalty. Leis Sci1998; 20: 1–23.
16.
BeardJGRaghebMG. Measuring leisure motivation. J Leis Res1983; 15: 219–228.
17.
ChangPJWrayLLinY. Social relationships, leisure activity, and health in older adults. Health Psychol2014; 33: 516–523.
18.
DupuisS. Leisure and aging well. World Leis J2008; 50: 91–107.
19.
KellyJR. Activity and aging: Staying involved in later life. Newbury Park, CA: Sage, 1993.
20.
KimACHRyuJLeeC, et al.Sport participation and happiness among older adults: a mediating role of social capital. J Happiness Stud2021; 22: 1623–1641.
21.
LampinenPHeikkinenRLKauppinenM,et al.Activity as a predictor of mental well-being among older adults. Aging Ment Health2006; 10: 454–466.
22.
LinYTChenMHoCC,et al.Relationships among leisure physical activity, sedentary lifestyle, physical fitness, and happiness in adults 65 years or older in Taiwan. Int J Environ Res Public Health2020; 17: 5235.
23.
LiuHDaS. The relationships between leisure and happiness-A graphic elicitation method. In: Leisure and wellbeing. New York, NY: Routledge, 2022, pp. 111–130.
24.
MenecVH. The relation between everyday activities and successful aging: a 6-year longitudinal study. J Gerontol2003; 58: 74–82.
25.
VeenhovenR. How satisfying is rural life? In: Cecora J (eds) Changing values and attitudes in family households, with rural peer groups, social networks and action spaces. Bonn, Germany: Society for Agricultural Policy and Rural Sociology, 1994, pp. 4–52.
26.
LamaDCutlerHC. The art of happiness at work. The Innovation Journal: The Public Sector Innovation Journal2014; 19: 1–7.
27.
Gomez-BayaDGasparTCorrêaR, et al.Leisure time activities and subjective happiness in early adolescents from three Ibero-American countries: the cases of Brazil, Chile and Spain. Children2023; 10: 1058.
28.
KimJLeeYKilN, et al.Exploring the relationships across recreation specialization, leisure satisfaction, and happiness: the case of Korean hikers. Leis Sci2023: 1–19.
29.
ModiI. Leisure, health and wellbeing: the ultimate quest of humanity. In: Leisure, health, and well-being. Cham, Switzerland: Springer, 2017, pp. 273–279.
30.
YooJ. Attitude toward leisure, satisfaction with leisure policy, and happiness are mediated by satisfaction with leisure activities. Sci Rep2022; 12: 11723.
31.
WeiXHuangSStodolskaM,et al.Leisure time, leisure activities, and happiness in China: evidence from a national survey. J Leis Res2015; 47: 556–576.
32.
WHO. Decade of healthy ageing: Baseline report. 2020.
33.
GabrielZBowlingA. Quality of life from the perspectives of older people. Ageing Soc2004; 24: 675–691.
34.
RoweJWKahnRL. Human aging: usual and successful. Science1987; 237: 143–149.
35.
HendricksJCutlerSJ. Volunteerism and socioemotional selectivity in later life. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci2004; 59: 251–257.
36.
HoglundMWSadovskyRClassieJ. Engagement in life activities promotes healthy aging in men. J Mens Health2009; 6: 354–365.
37.
GreenfieldEAMarksNF. Formal volunteering as a protective factor for older adults’ psychological well-being. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci2004; 59: 258–264.
38.
GergenMMGergenKJ. Positive aging: new images for a new age. Ageing Int2001; 27: 3–23.
39.
LiuLZhangTLiS, et al.Successful aging among community-dwelling older adults in urban areas of Liaoning province: the crucial effect of visual ability. Risk Manag Healthc Policy2021; 14: 3729–3738.
40.
TornstamL. Gerotranscendence: A developmental theory of positive aging. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company Inc., 2005.
41.
GilleardCHiggsP. The third age: class, cohort or generation?Ageing Soc2022; 22: 369–382.
42.
McPhersonBD. Population aging and leisure in a global context: factors influencing inclusion and exclusion within and across culture. World Leis Rec1999; 41: 5–10.
43.
ZacherH. Successful aging at work. Work Aging Retirement2015; 1: 4–25.
44.
HalickiJ. Społeczne teorie starzenia się [social theories of aging]. In: Halicka M and Halicki J (eds) Zostawić ślad na ziemi. Księga pamiątkowa dedykowana Profesorowi Wojciechowi Pędichowi w 80 rocznicę urodzin i 55 rocznicę pracy naukowej [To leave a trace in this world: Memorial book dedicated to Professor Wojciech Pędich on the 80th anniversary of his birth and the 55th anniversary of his scientific work]. Białystok: Białystok University Publishing House, 2006, pp. 255–276.
45.
WawrzyniakJK. Teorie starzenia się i przystosowania do starości [theories of aging and adaptation to old age]. In: Fabiś A, Wawrzyniak JK and Chabior A (eds) Ludzka starość. Wybrane zagadnienia gerontologii społecznej [human old age: selected issues of social gerontology]. Krakow: Oficyna Wydawnicza Impuls, 2017, pp. 26–42.
46.
HalickaMKramkowskaE. Aktywność osób starszych i przykłady samoorganizowania się seniorów w polsce [activity of the elderly and examples of self-organization of seniors in Poland]. Trzeci Sektor2011; 25: 36–43.
47.
SteudenS. Psychologia starzenia się i starości [Psychology of aging and old age]. Warsaw: PWN Scientific Publishing House, 2011.
48.
KyleGTAbsherJNormanW, et al.A modified involvement scale. Leis Stud2007; 26: 399–427.
49.
GürbüzBÇimenZAydınİ. Serbest zaman ilgilenim ölçeği: türkçe formu geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışması. Spormetre Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi2018; 16: 256–265.
50.
HillsPArgyleM. The Oxford happiness questionnaire: a compact scale for the measurement of psychological well-being. Personality and Individual Differences2002; 33: 1073–1082.
51.
DoğanTAkıncı ÇötokN. Oxford Mutluluk ölçeği kısa formunun Türkçe uyarlaması: geçerlik ve güvenirlik çalışması [adaptation of the short form of the Oxford happiness questionnaire into Turkish: a validity and reliability study]. Türk Psikolojik Danışma ve Rehberlik Dergisi2011; 4: 165–172.
52.
RekerGT. A brief manual of the successful aging scale (SAS), 2009.
53.
HazerOÖzsungurF. Başarılı Yaşlanma Ölçeği (BYÖ) Türkçe Versiyonu. Int J Educ Tech Sci Res2017; 4: 184–206.
54.
WuJLiXGaoB,et al.The effects of serious leisure involvement on subjective well-being and successful aging: a case study of young-old participants in Chinese seniors’ universities. Sage Open2020; 10: 1–17.
55.
ChengEPeggSStebbinsR. Old bodies, young hearts: a qualitative exploration of the engagement of older male amateur rugby union players in Taiwan. Leis Stud2016; 35: 549–563.
56.
ÇolBKKöseBGBaşaranAG. The effect of leisure activities on successful aging. Niger J Clin Pract2022; 25: 1904–1910.
57.
ZhaoXYuJLiuN. Relationship between specific leisure activities and successful aging among older adults. J Exer Sci Fit2023; 21: 111–118.
58.
HavighurstRNeugartenBTobinS. Disengagement and patterns of aging. In: Neugarten B (eds) Middle age and aging. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1968, pp.161–172.
59.
Fredriksen-GoldsenKIKimHJShiuC, et al.Successful aging among LGBT older adults: physical and mental health-related quality of life by age group. Gerontologist2015; 55: 154–168.
60.
KimKTHawkinsBALeeYH,et al.Social support and daily life activity: determinants of aging well. Act Adap Aging2023; 47: 171–194.
61.
PapadimitriouAFoscolouAItsiopoulosC, et al.Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and successful aging in Greeks living in Greece and abroad: the epidemiological Mediterranean Islands Study (MEDIS). Nutr Health2023; 29: 287–295.
62.
PontiFSantoroAMercatelliD, et al.Aging and imaging assessment of body composition: from fat to facts. Frontiers Endocrinol2020; 10: 861.
63.
WeyhCKrügerKStrasserB. Physical activity and diet shape the immune system during aging. Nutrients2020; 12: 622.
64.
Seyed HosseiniRNKhanizadehSMohebbiF, et al.Active leisure time predicts happiness among Iranian adults: a study comparing adults with physically active versus inactive lifestyle. Perspect Psychiatr Care2023: 1–6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/3600571
65.
KimJByonKK. Leisure activities, happiness, life satisfaction, and health perception of older Korean adults. Int J Ment Health Promot2021; 23: 155–166.
66.
SpiersAWalkerGJ. The effects of ethnicity and leisure satisfaction on happiness, peacefulness, and quality of life. Leis Sci2009; 31: 84–99.
67.
KleiberDAWalkerGJMannellRC. A social psychology of leisure. 2nd ed.State College, PA: Venture Publishing, 2011.
68.
BammelGBurrus-BammelLL. Leisure and human behavior. Dubuque, Iowa: W.C. Brown, 1996.
69.
WankelLMBergerBG. The personal and social benefits of sport and physical activity. In: Driver BL, Brown PJ and Peterson GL (eds) Benefits of leisure. State College, PA: Venture Publishing, 1991; pp. 121–144.
70.
ChenZY. The study of elementary teachers’ leisure participation, experience in leisure benefits, and work satisfaction in Taipei County. Taipei City, Taiwan: National Taiwan Normal University, 2001.
71.
BrightAD. The role of social marketing in leisure and recreation management. J Leis Res2000; 32: 12–18.
72.
EasterlinRA. Why does happiness respond differently to an increase vs. decrease in income?J Econ Behav Organ2023; 209: 200–204.
73.
HelliwellJFHuangHWangS,et al.Social environments for world happiness. World Happiness Report2020; 1: 13–45.
74.
MarengoDMontagCSindermannC, et al.Examining the links between active Facebook use, received likes, self-esteem and happiness: a study using objective social media data. Telemat Inform2021; 58: 101523.
75.
PanH. Effect of the ecological environment on the residents’ happiness: the mechanism and an evidence from Zhejiang Province of China. Environ, Dev Sustain2023; 25: 2716–2734.
76.
RusmanAAHashimIHZaharimNM. Examining the relationship between religiosity and happiness in Medan, Indonesia: the mediating role of self-control, self-regulation, and life satisfaction. Asian Soc Work Policy Rev2023; 17: 27–38.
77.
ZhangWFengQLacanientaJ,et al.Leisure participation and subjective well-being: exploring gender differences among elderly in Shanghai, China. Arch Gerontol Geriatr2017; 69: 45–54.
78.
WileyCGShawSMHavitzME. Men's and women's involvement in sports: an examination of the gendered aspects of leisure involvement. Leis Sci2000; 22: 19–31.
79.
ChangHH. Gender differences in leisure involvement and flow experience in professional extreme sport activities. World Leis J2017; 59: 124–139.
