Older Adult Engagement in Activities: All Motivations Are Not Created Equal

Abstract

Engaging in cognitive and social activities is related to higher cognitive function in older adults (Hertzog, Kramer, Wilson, & Lindenberger, 2008). However, some older adults engage in activities that help maintain cognitive functioning, and some do not. The present research was aimed at discovering the motivations that underlie older adult engagement in activities. Thirty-three older adults aged 60-87 years provided information about the activities in which they participated and their motivations to engage in these activities. Results indicated that people were generally motivated by factors in the Material World (Forbes, 2011), such as motivation for achievement. Moreover, contrary to socioemotional selectivity theory (Carstensen, 1993), older adults were least motivated by factors within the Social World, such as motivation for nurturance. Lastly, it appears possible to predict motivation for activities based on the characteristics of the activity using Multilevel Modeling. Further research could formulate a taxonomy of older adult activities and motivations to best encourage challenging activities at older ages.