THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY PROGRAMS AND LIFE SATISFACTION OF RESIDENTS IN THUNDER BAY HOMES FOR THE AGED

Abstract

This investigation examined the relationship between participation in recreational activities and the life satisfaction of elderly residents in the Thunder Bay Homes for the Aged. Participation in recreational activities was measured by the Recreation Preference Questionnaire (RPQ) which classified recreational involvement into four activity types: group active, group passive, individual passive. Life satisfaction was measured with the Life Satisfaction Index-Z (LSI-Z). Results indicated (a) a positive relationship between life satisfaction and each activity category, and (b) a significant relationship between life satisfaction and frequency of participation in the group activeand individual active categories. A moderate degree of participation in the group active/individual active categories was more highly correlated with life satisfaction than was a high degree of participation in the group pasive/individual passive categories. Social gerontologists and recreational therapists who design programs to improve the well-being of the elderly should consider all aspects of recreational activities with special emphasis on the group active and individual active categories.