Psychosocial Factors and Leisure Perception of the Elder in Two Districts Central Java Indonesia

Abstract

The number of elder population is increasing significantly around the globe. Leisure time is the activities that someone does in his or her spare time, it has to be fun and conducted outside from the daily routine activities. Unproductive leisure spending becomes issues for the elders. The aim of this research is to find psychosocial factors that related to the perception of leisure amongst the elders. The study was conducted with a cross-sectional design. This research was conducted in Karanganyar and Surakarta. Sampling technique used was multistage random sampling. The sample was 160 elders. The measurement was done by a test. The questionnaire was used as the research instruments. Data analysis techniques were used with multiple linear regression analysis. Characteristics of the sample were 62.5% female, age 60–75 years (elder) 80.6%, education level 42.5% primary school or equivalent, health status 51.9% healthy no diseased, 67.5% not working, 68% severe cognitive impairment, mild and moderate about 44.7%, and 73% have a high spirituality. The level of depression has positive effect on the perception of leisure amongst the elder as significantly (b = 0.24; p = 0.001), higher cognitive level influenced the perception of elders leisure (b = 0.05; p = 0.03), and spiritual level influence is not significant to perceptions elders leisure (b = 0.02; p = 0.136). Levels of depression, cognitive level and spiritual level affected perceptions elder leisure (Adjusted R = 0.09; p = 0.001). The rate of depression and cognitive level are the important predictors of the perception of the usage of leisure time. Future researches are recommended to explore the other factors that influence perceptions of the elder leisure.