Social relationships, leisure activity, and health in older adults.

TitleSocial relationships, leisure activity, and health in older adults.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2014
AuthorsChang, P-J, Wray, LA, Lin, Y
JournalHealth Psychol
Volume33
Issue6
Pagination516-23
Date Published2014 Jun
ISSN Number1930-7810
KeywordsAged, Aged, 80 and over, Female, Health Status, Humans, Interpersonal Relations, Leisure activities, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Middle Aged, United States
Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Although the link between enhanced social relationships and better health has generally been well established, few studies have examined the role of leisure activity in this link. This study examined how leisure influences the link between social relationships and health in older age.

METHOD: Using data from the 2006 and 2010 waves of the nationally representative U.S. Health and Retirement Study and structural equation modeling analyses, we examined data on 2,965 older participants to determine if leisure activities mediated the link between social relationships and health in 2010, controlling for race, education level, and health in 2006.

RESULTS: The results demonstrated that leisure activities mediate the link between social relationships and health in these age groups. Perceptions of positive social relationships were associated with greater involvement in leisure activities, and greater involvement in leisure activities was associated with better health in older age.

CONCLUSION: The contribution of leisure to health in these age groups is receiving increasing attention, and the results of this study add to the literature on this topic, by identifying the mediating effect of leisure activity on the link between social relationships and health. Future studies aimed at increasing leisure activity may contribute to improved health outcomes in older adults.

Notes

Times Cited: 1 Si

DOI10.1037/hea0000051
User Guide Notes

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24884905?dopt=Abstract

Endnote Keywords

Social relationships/leisure activity/health outcomes

Endnote ID

999999

Alternate JournalHealth Psychol
Citation Key8096
PubMed ID24884905
PubMed Central IDPMC4467537
Grant ListR24 HD041025 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States