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Participation in Community Group Activities Among Older Adults: Is Diversity of Group Membership Associated With Better Self-rated Health?

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Participation in community activities (eg, sports and hobby groups or volunteer organizations) is believed to be associated with better health status in the older population. We sought to (1) determine whether a greater diversity of group membership is associated with better self-rated health and (2) identify the key dimension of the membership diversity (eg, gender, residential area, or age). METHODS:We performed a cross-sectional study of 129,740 participants aged 65 years and older who were enrolled in the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study in 2013. We assessed the diversity of group membership using (1) a continuous variable (range 0-4) accounting for the total degree of each diversity dimension or (2) dummy variables for each dimension. We estimated prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for better self-rated health according to the diversity of group membership, using Poisson regression and robust variance with multiple imputation, adjusted for other covariates. RESULTS:The participants involved in social groups with greater diversity had better self-rated health: the PR per one point unit increase in diversity was 1.03 (95% CI, 1.02-1.04). Participation in gender-diverse groups was associated with the best profile of health (PR 1.07; 95% CI, 1.04-1.09). CONCLUSIONS:Among the older population in Japan, higher group diversity is associated with better self-rated health. Gender is the key dimension of diversity that is associated with better self-rated health.

SUBMITTER: Zaitsu M

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6192976 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BACKGROUND:Socioeconomic status (SES) is a major determinant of diverse health outcomes, among these are self-rated-health and mental health. Yet the mechanisms underlying the SES-health relation are not fully explored. Socioeconomic inequalities in health and mental health may form along several pathways. One is social participation which is linked to better self-rated-health and mental health. We examined (1) whether various social participation practices, including the usage of information and communication technology, relate to a unidimensional or multidimensional phenomenon (2) the relationship among SES, social participation, self-rated-health and mental health; (3) whether social participation and mental health mediates the association between SES and self-rated-health; (4) whether social participation and self-rated-health mediates the links between SES and mental health. METHOD:Cross-sectional data for individuals aged 35 and older were taken from the Israeli Social Survey for 2016 (N?=?4848). Social participation practices included connection with family and friends, self-perceived-support, self-perceived trust, volunteering, civic and political involvement, and information and communication technology usage. An exploratory factor analysis was conducted for all social participation practices. We then constructed structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to explore paths of relations among SES, social participation, self-rated-health and mental health. RESULTS:We found disparities in self-rated health and mental health across SES. Social participation practice, 'frequency of meeting with friends', mediated the links between SES-self-rated health and SES-mental health. Formal social participation practices along with internet usage mediated the SES- self-rated health link. Informal social participation practices and self-perceived trust mediated the SES-mental health link. Mental health mediated the SES- self-rated health link and self-rated health mediated the SES-mental health link. CONCLUSION:The links between SES and the two health constructs were enhanced by common and distinct social participation practices. Enhancement of social participation practices among low SES individuals is recommended. Social participation should be a prominent aspect of preventive medicine practice and health promotion interventions. Policy makers are called to support such programs as an important way to promote public health.

Project description:BackgroundWith the advancing age of the population, and increasing demands on healthcare services, community participation has become an important consideration for healthy ageing. Low levels of community participation have been linked to increased mortality and social isolation. The extent to which community participation has been measured objectively in older adults remains scarce. This study aims to describe where and how older adults participate in the community and determine the feasibility of measurement methods for community participation.MethodsThis observational cross-sectional study obtained data from 46 community dwelling older adults. A combination of Global Positioning Systems (GPS), accelerometry, and self-reported diaries were used over a 7-day monitoring period. Feasibility of methods were determined by calculating the loss of GPS data, questionnaires, and comparison of self-reported locations with GPS co-ordinates. Relationships between community participation, physical activity, social interactions, health related quality of life, sleep quality and loneliness were explored.ResultsOlder adults took a median (IQR) of 15 (9.25-18.75) trips out of home over the 7-day monitoring period, most frequently visiting commercial and recreational locations. In-home activities were mainly sedentary in nature, with out of home activities dependent on location type. Self-reported and GPS measures of trips out of home and the locations visited were significantly correlated (self-report 15.7 (5.6) GPS 14.4 (5.8) (r = 0.94)). Significant correlations between both the number of trips taken from home, with social interactions (r = 0.62) and the minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (r = 0.43) were observed. Daily MVPA was higher in participants who visited local walk/greenspaces (r = 0.48).ConclusionParticipants performed more activities with social interactions out of home and visited commercial locations most frequently. The combination of GPS, accelerometry and self-report methods provided a detailed picture of community participation for older adults. Further research is required with older adults of varying health status to generalise the relationships between community participation, location and physical activity.Trial registrationEthical approval was gained from the Flinders University Social and Behavioural Research Ethics Committee (protocol no. 8176).

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Participation in Community Group Activities Among Older Adults: Is Diversity of Group Membership Associated With Better Self-rated Health?

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