Bem-estar subjetivo e a prática de atividade desportiva em idosos alunos de universidades seniores do Porto

Abstract

The psychology has, in recent decades, given emphasis to the study of the positive aspects of life, as an example, the study of subjective well-being, which can be understood as a subjective evaluation of the quality of life. In this study was aimed to investigate the practical sports level and subjective well-being of the elderly whose attend in Seniors Universities in Porto. The methodology was quantitative, whith an application of a questionnaire. To assess the subjective well-being was used the version translated and adapted from Satisfaction With Life Scale (Diener et al, 1985), and positive and negative affect scale (PANAS), (Watson et al., 1988); also includes a socio-demographic and sports issues. In results, we realize that 76% of the sample practiced some sport activity. For the subjective well-being, the sample showed overall satisfaction with life and positive affects above average. The men had the highest values for satisfaction with life, though women had higher averages in the affections. Regarding age, it was observed an increased in satisfaction with life and a decreased in affects, however, these values were not significant. The relation between sporting practice and subjective well-being, was significant for the positive affect, who practiced sport had the highest average, and those who had increased frequency in practice (4 / 5 times per week), averages showed significant higher than those who have not practiced With this we can conclude that the sport was a factor that increases the subjective well-being of the elderly in the sample studied.