Date Presented 04/05/19
The aim of this study is to determine the correlates of social participation among older adults with disability. Participation in social activities is associated with improved health. Initial findings show that social participation is associated with mobility. This can be used as evidence to advocate for clients to receive necessary services to improve their social participation. Such evidence can be used in practice and possible policy formulation.
Primary Author and Speaker: John Liu
PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to determine the correlates of social participation among older adults with disability. Participation in social activities have been shown to be associated with improved overall health (Freedman, Stafford, Schwarz, Conrad, & Cornman, 2012; Liu & Richardson, 2012 ). There is scant literature as it relates to older adults with disability. This study will contribute as evidence for occupation based practice on an individual level and possible policy formulation on a broader population level.
DESIGN: This is a secondary data analysis of the observational data from the Disability and Use of Time Study. This is part of the larger Panel Study of Income Dynamics longitudinal survey of a representative sample of U.S. individuals (McGonagle, Schoeni, Sastry, & Freedman, 2012). The DUST is a supplement that aims to provide data on older married couples. This is a preliminary analysis of 1776 partnered individual 60 years old and above.
METHOD: The study used the computer assisted telephone interview instrument that was 15 to 20 minutes interview. The questionnaire consisted of sections on global wellbeing, impairments and limitations, the American Community Survey disability series as well as participation. We will present initial findings from a linear regression and detail several possible models in explaining the correlates of social participation.
RESULTS: Initial findings show that social participation is associated with mobility (p < 0.05). Other factors including health, cognitive and physical functioning as well as engagement are still under consideration. Further analysis on possible personality as well as self-efficacy, spirituality and romantic or family relationship will be explored further.
CONCLUSION: Improved mobility is associated with improved social participation. This shows how occupational therapist can target intervention such as providing motorized wheelchair or alternative forms of mobility to improve social participation among older adults with disability.
IMPACT STATEMENT: Using a population based dataset, we can link improved social participation and mobility. This can be used as evidence to advocate for clients to received necessary services to improve their social participation. Such evidence can be used in individual practice and also in possible policy formulation.
References
Freedman, V. A., Stafford, F., Schwarz, N., Conrad, F., & Cornman, J. C. (2012). Disability, participation, and subjective wellbeing among older couples. Social science & medicine, 74(4), 588-596.
Liu Jr, J. L., & Richardson, P. K. (2012). Successful aging in older adults with disability. OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health, 32(4), 126-134. doi: 10.3928/15394492-20120203-02
McGonagle, K. A., Schoeni, R. F., Sastry, N., & Freedman, V. A. (2012). The Panel Study of Income Dynamics: overview, recent innovations, and potential for life course research. Longitudinal and life course studies, 3(2).
