The Relationship Between Reasons for Activity and Older Adult Well-Being

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between activity and older adult well-being by examining the reasons for older adult activity as moderators of the relationship. A sample of 249 older adults completed a questionnaire that contained demographic, health, and activity items. Participants indicated whether they engaged in each of 44 activities, how routinely they engaged in each, and the reasons for each activity. Results from hierarchical regression analyses showed that activities engaged in for social reasons positively related to wellbeing, and activities engaged in to pass the time negatively related to well-being. Total number of activities and the number of routine activities did not relate to well-being. These findings suggest that engaging in more activities does not necessarily enhance well-being, and that the reasons for engaging in activities are important for older adult well-being.