Specific Leisure Activities Research Articles

Handicraft art leisure activities and cognitive reserve

ObjectiveOlder individuals face a higher likelihood of developing dementia. The rate of cognitive decline resulting from dementia is not equivalent for all, as some patients with dementia are able to function independently longer than others, despite having similar disease burden. The cognitive reserve (CR) theory provides one explanation for the differing rate of decline. CR suggests that there are factors—most notably, educational attainment and occupational attainment—that can protect against the cognitive decline. Although the beneficial effects of these notable CR factors are clear, not all are easily modifiable. Participation in leisure activities may represent a more easily modifiable factor. Some research hints at beneficial effects of leisure activities, although specific leisure activities have not been well examined. The present study examined the relations between handicraft art leisure activities (HALAs) and multiple cognitive domains. MethodArchival WAIS-IV and demographic data for 50 California retirement community residents were examined. ResultsHALA participation accounted for statistically significant variance in working memory performance (R 2 = .40, β = .24%) over and above the established CR factors of age, depression, educational attainment, and occupational attainment. In addition, HALA participation was related to a better ability to perform abstract visual information tasks (Block Design subtest, r = .28, p = .05) and non-verbal reasoning tasks (Visual Puzzles subtest, r = .38, p = .008). ConclusionsHALA participation among older adults could contribute to the retention of cognitive function, supporting the role of HALA participation as a CR factor.

Leisure Activities of Inhabitants of Large Cities in Poland during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract Introduction The main goal of the article is to study the structure of time spent on specific leisure activities in the COVID-19 pandemic by inhabitants of large cities in Poland (in the workweek – weekend cycle). Material and methods Time budget research, including leisure, was based on the self-reporting sheet and was conducted in December 2020 on residents of selected cities. Results The results indicate differences in the way of spending leisure time concerning social life mainly. The respondents spent most of their leisure time using mass media and the Internet. The time spent on various leisure activities also differed in terms of workweek – weekend. The structure of individual leisure time activities showed that the most common activities during workweek were watching TV and using the Internet. At weekends, the second most popular activity (after watching TV) was home meetings. Conclusions An important contribution resulting from this work is the identification and analysis of the variability of leisure activities during the pandemic.

Influence of students' personality on their leisure behaviour choices and moderating effects on their academic efficacy: An exploratory study.

Studying can be very stressful leading to a decreased academic efficacy. In this exploratory longitudinal study, we analysed a wide range of students' leisure activities and their effects on students' academic efficacy. Further, we identified the personality types of students who choose specific leisure activities as a strategy to stress reduction and determined how the use of leisure behaviours affects academic performance among students with different personality types. Students were asked about their personality (Neo-FFI), leisure time behaviour (self-generated items), and academic efficacy (MBI-SS) at three measurement points. Multivariate regression analyses were applied to estimate the moderation effects. In total, 331 students were included in the study. Social activities were found to have a direct effect on academic efficacy. The students' personality moderated the effects of leisure behaviour on efficacy, suggesting a negative effect on academic efficacy for some personality traits. Since our results suggest that the effectiveness of stress management through the use of leisure behaviour depends on the students' personality, universities offering stress management services should pay attention to precise targeting to attract the specific students who might benefit the most from the offered services.

HEALTHY LEISURE: ADVANCING UNDERSTANDING OF LEISURE DECISIONS, ACTIVITIES, AND HEALTH CONSEQUENCES

Abstract Leisure activities promote healthy aging, yet aging poses new challenges to engagement in active, meaningful, health-promoting leisure. This stalemate wherein people need to but struggle to engage in healthy leisure as they age calls for further research describing what healthy leisure entails, decision processes predicting it, and long-term consequences over the lifespan. This symposium brings together five rigorous studies aimed at understanding diverse aspects of leisure – how adults make daily leisure decisions, the health-promoting or demoting consequences of specific leisure activities as a person ages, and unique challenges faced by vulnerable populations. Paper 1 describes how daily energy and affect conjointly influence the types and variety of leisure activities midlife adults choose. Paper 2 identifies specific leisure activities that protect against cognitive decline in older adults, with consideration of vulnerable subgroups (illiterate, rural residents). Paper 3 investigates how seven leisure activities longitudinally predict cognitive impairment in older adults and differences by life course SES. Paper 4 identifies social interactions with friends as a key aspect of healthy leisure that longitudinally associates with cognitive function in older adults. Paper 5 focuses on a vulnerable population, older breast cancer survivors, and examines whether participating in cognitively stimulating leisure activities is associated with cognitive function (vs. non-cancer controls). These papers use different samples and datasets to describe the nature, causes, and consequences healthy leisure by specific population groups. The discussant, Dr. Allison Bielak will integrate key findings from these studies, discuss their theoretical and methodological contributions, and consider opportunities for future research.

Relationship between specific leisure activities and successful aging among older adults

Background/ObjectivesThis study was designed to investigate the association between specific leisure activities and successful aging among older adults, using data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. MethodsA total of 7689 older adults were involved in this study and categorized as successful aging group (n = 3989; 51.8%) or non-successful aging group (n = 3703; 48.2%). Participants were identified as successful aging if they had a score of more than 3 points, or as non-successful aging. The points were based on the following five items and each item was assigned 1 point: self-rated health, self-rated psychological status or mood, cognitive function, activities of daily life, and physical activity. Six activities including gardening work, reading newspapers or books, raising domestic animals or pets, playing cards or mahjong, watching TV or listening to radio, and participating in social activities were collected to reflect leisure activities. Chi-square tests, independent sample t-test, and logistic regression analyses were employed to explore the association between specific leisure activities and successful aging. ResultsThe prevalence of successful aging was 51.8% among Chinese older adults. A significant positive relationship was found between the frequency of participation in specific leisure activities and successful aging (p < 0.05). Older adults who usually participated in leisure activities had greater odds for successful aging compared to those who never participated in leisure activities (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 1.31 (95% CI: 1.15–1.49) to 1.88 (95% CI: 1.62–2.19)). Older adults participating in one or more leisure activities had greater odds for successful aging compared to those who did not participate in leisure activities (adjusted OR: 1.51 (95% CI: 1.30–1.76) to 4.10 (95% CI: 2.44–6.89)). ConclusionsThe findings provide evidence that participating more frequently and in more leisure activities was associated with a greater probability of successful aging among Chinese older adults. Encouraging older people to participate frequently in a larger number of leisure activities may be a key to promote successful aging. Therefore, the frequency and number of participation in leisure activities should be highlighted and targeted for promoting successful aging.

P08-16 Neighborhood walkability and older people's participation in leisure activities

BackgroundThe neighborhood environment may enhance or restrict older people's opportunities to participate in leisure activities, and thus impact quality of life. Walkability depicts the environment's suitability for walking to different destinations. Little is known concerning about the relation between environment walkability and participation in leisure activities. Our purpose was to study whether neighborhood's objective and perceived walkability were related to participation in various leisure activities outside the home.MethodsCross-sectional data of LISPE consisted of 848 community-dwelling people aged 75-90 living in the municipalities of Jyväskylä and Muurame, Finland. Participants' home addresses were geocoded, and walkability index (mixed land-use, street connectivity, and population density) was calculated using geographic information system and categorized into tertiles. From a checklist, participants chose all infrastructure-based facilitators present in their neighborhood, which draw them to outdoor mobility (e.g., good lighting, services close); the sum of these was used as an indicator of perceived walkability. Participation in leisure activities outside the home was self-reported based on frequency and classified as participation (yes/no) in group activities (≥1x/week), physical activity (≥1x/week), and non-group cultural and other activities (≥1x/month). For each leisure activity type, logistic regression models were conducted for walkability index and perceived walkability separately. Analyses were adjusted age, sex, years of education, weekly car use, walking difficulties, and number of chronic conditions.ResultsLogistic regression showed that the older people who lived in areas with high walkability index were more likely to participate in cultural and other activities activity at least once a month (OR = 1.64, 95% Cl = 1.14-2.36) and less likely to participate in physical activity at least once a week (OR = 0.61, 95% Cl = 0.39-0.94, fully adjusted model) than older people living in areas with low walkability index. Older people reporting higher perceived walkability participated more often in physical activity than those who reported lower walkability (OR = 1.14, 95% Cl = 1.05-1.23).ConclusionsLiving in the area of high walkability enhanced participation in cultural activities and decreased participation in physical activity. However, higher perceived walkability may motivate older people to be physically active. Environment which offers good infrastructure for outdoor mobility provides opportunities to participate in specific leisure activities.

Leisure activity and cognitive function among Chinese old adults: The multiple mediation effect of anxiety and loneliness

BackgroundMost countries in the world, including China, are experiencing serious aging problems. The decline of cognitive function seriously affects the quality of life of the elderly in their later years and brings an inevitable heavy burden to the family and society. Therefore, in order to achieve successful aging, the purpose of this study is to test the serial multiple mediation effect of anxiety and loneliness between leisure activity and cognitive function in Chinese elderly population. MethodsUsing 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) dataset, we finally selected 6,525 Chinese elderly people over 65 years old after screening. Firstly, we described the basic social demographic information of the sample population. Secondly, Spearman correlation analysis was used to determine whether there is a correlation between leisure activity, anxiety, loneliness and cognitive function in Chinese elderly. Finally, the serial multiple mediation analysis was completed using the SPSS macro PROCESS program. ResultsLeisure activity, anxiety, loneliness and cognitive function were significantly correlated (p<0.01). Leisure activity can not only have a direct positive impact on the cognitive function of the elderly (effect=0.2231; SE=0.0122; 95%CI: LL=0.1992, UL=0.2470), but also have an indirect impact on the cognitive function through three paths: the independent mediating role of anxiety (effect=0.0028; SE=0.0015; 95%CI: LL=0.0001, UL=0.0059), the independent mediating role of loneliness (effect=0.0032; SE=0.0016; 95%CI: LL=0.0002, UL=0.0065), and the chain mediating role of anxiety and loneliness (effect=0.0008; SE=0.0004; 95%CI: LL=0.0001, UL=0.0017). LimitationsAll items were self-reported and some results may have biased. In the future, it may be more instructive to explore the impact of specific leisure activity on the cognitive function of the elderly. ConclusionsThe study suggests that leisure activity can improve cognitive function through decreasing anxiety and loneliness among the Chinese elderly. Diversified interventions aimed at increasing leisure activity participation in older adults would be beneficial for their mental health and cognitive function.

Does Adolescent Free Time Matter? Exploring the Association Between Adolescent Leisure Activities and Dating Violence Perpetration

ObjectiveAdolescence is a developmental period characterized by independent leisure activities and increased interest in intimate dating relationships. Despite focused examinations on dating violence (DV), research has not yet explored connections between leisure activities and DV.MethodsThis exploratory study uses Birmingham Youth Violence Survey (BYVS) Wave 3 data to elucidate the relationship between leisure activities and DV perpetration among urban youth aged 16–23 (N = 497, Mage = 17.64, 52% female, 81.3% Black, 18.7% White).ResultsFindings support the relationship between specific types of leisure activities and DV perpetration.ConclusionPractitioners, researchers, and policy makers with a vested interest in adolescent health should pay attention to specific leisure activities (e.g., social, sports, and media) given their associations to DV perpetration.

When home becomes a cage: Daily activities, space-time constraints, isolation and the loneliness of older adults in urban environments

Abstract The geography of ageing is addressed in this article by providing new empirical evidence about the significant role of daily activities on the perceptions of isolation and loneliness. The developed model of socio-spatial isolation is based on data from time-space diaries and questionnaires completed by older adults living in three cities in the Czech Republic. The study suggests that socio-spatial isolation is a multicomponent (consisting of passivity, isolation and loneliness components), place-dependent and gendered issue. The passivity is significantly associated with the income and leisure sport activities. The isolation can be well predicted by the age, gender and education, and the frequency of work and specific leisure activities, which are constrained by health conditions, financial opportunities and spatial mobility. Particularly trips to nature, sport activities, cultural events, get together with friends, and visits to restaurants have a positive effect on reducing isolation. Women, particularly those who raised more children, more likely feel lonely in old age when family contacts are reduced. Visits to restaurants, shopping malls and cultural events have a positive effect on reducing loneliness. A constrained mobility and higher time consumption for necessary activities also proved to be an age-related and gendered problem. In this respect, policy interventions should seek to improve flexible work opportunities, the digital skills of older people, and the accessibility and safety of public transport with regard to perceived constraints, which is gaining in importance in the Covid-19 era.

Scoring of Leisure Activities for Older Adults According to Cognitive, Physical, and Social Components.

Participation in leisure activities may be cognitively protective for older adults. However, there is no comprehensive scoring system for analyzing data related to the effectiveness of leisure activity engagement on cognitive decline risk. The authors developed a component scoring system to determine the typical amount of cognitive, physical, and social effort required for participation in common leisure activities. Fifty-nine leisure activities were scored on the three activity effort components in two rounds of expert panel review using a modified Delphi technique. Consensus on the component scores was esta blished. Interrater reliability (IRR) was acceptable across all three components (0.72). IRR was adequate for the cognitive component (0.75) and excellent for the physical (0.94) and social (0.95) components. Component scores can be used to examine how the level of cognitive, physical, or social effort required for engagement in specific leisure activities is associated with risk for cognitive decline and other poor outcomes. [Research in Gerontological Nursing, 13(1), 13-20.].

Neural basis of romantic partners\u2019 decisions about participation in leisure activity

Leisure activity is one of key ingredients for individual happiness and life satisfaction. Enjoying leisure activity with one’s partner can increase marital satisfaction. This study aimed to identify the neural basis of making decisions on participation in a leisure activity with one’s romantic partner as well as the relationship between leisure activity and satisfaction with life. Thirty-seven soon-to-be married heterosexual couples were participated in functional MRI while deciding participation in specific leisure activities in the individual, partner, with-friend, and with-partner conditions. We constructed analysis of variance models and investigated couple characteristics such as personality similarity, leisure activity matching rate, and spatial similarity in the bilateral frontoparietal network. The results showed decreased activity in the bilateral hippocampus during the task in the with-partner condition. Individual leisure activity was correlated with quality of life in males, whereas participation in leisure activity might require more cognitive loading on the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in females. The leisure activity matching rate was correlated with courtship period, personality similarity, and spatial similarity of the right frontoparietal network during the task. These findings suggest that although there are different activation pattern in making decisions on leisure activity between romantic couples, spatial similarity of the partner’s social brain networks may be a marker that predicts how well the couple enjoys leisure activity together. In addition, our couples’ data analysis provides a scientific basis for the saying that romantic couples become more similar the longer they are together.

Doing a leisure activity because there is nothing else to do: Related outcomes and intervention effects for adolescents

This study examined whether a leisure-focused intervention, HealthWise, was related to reduced youth polysubstance use and delayed sexual debut via reducing how often youth did leisure activities because there was nothing else to do. HealthWise was compared to a no-intervention control for 5,610 high school students from eighth to tenth grades in townships near Cape Town, South Africa. Three specific leisure activities were examined: spending time with friends, playing sports, and going to parks. Among girls, spending time with friends because there was nothing else to do significantly mediated the effect of HealthWise on reducing frequent polysubstance use in the past month. For boys, spending time in parks because there was nothing else to do mediated the effect of HealthWise on delayed sexual debut. Results partially supported the HealthWise logic model of impacting risky behaviors via leisure and the value of prevention programs addressing the reasons behind leisure choices.

Specific Leisure Activities and Cognitive Functions Among the Oldest-Old: The Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey.

Little is known about the role of specific leisure activities in affecting cognitive functions. We aim to examine the associations of specific leisure activities with the risk of cognitive impairment among oldest-old people in China. This community-based prospective cohort study included 10,741 cognitively normal Chinese individuals aged 80 years or older (median age 88 years) from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Cox proportional hazards models were utilized to estimate the effects of specific leisure activities on cognitive impairment outcome. During a median follow-up time of 3.4 years (41,760 person-years), 2,894 participants developed cognitive impairment. Compared to those who "never" engaged in watching TV or listening to radio, reading books or newspapers, and playing cards or mah-jong, those who engaged in such activities "almost every day" reduced their risk of cognitive impairment, the fully-adjusted hazard ratios were 0.56 (0.51-0.61), 0.64 (0.53-0.78), and 0.70 (0.56-0.86), respectively. The association between the risk of cognitive impairment and watching TV and listening to the radio, playing cards or mah-jong, and reading books or newspapers were stronger among those who had two or more years of education. Moreover, the association between risk of cognitive impairment and watching TV and listening to radio was stronger in men than in women. In conclusion, a greater frequency of TV watching or radio listening, reading books or newspapers, and playing cards or mah-jong may decrease the risk of cognitive impairment among the oldest-old.

The role of occupational Aspergillus exposure in the development of diseases.

Aspergillus spp. have a high nutritional versatility and good growth on a large variety of construction materials. They also colonize soil or food, but decaying vegetation is their primary ecological niche. Therefore, exposure to fungi may occur at home, during hospitalization, during specific leisure activities, or at the workplace. The development of Aspergillus infections depends on the interplay between host susceptibility and the organism. Environments with high counts of fungal elements (conidia, hyphal fragments and others), high levels of bioarerosols, and elevated concentrations of mycotoxins or other volatile organic compounds should be considered as potential hazards, since they may present a risk to the exposed person. Rural tasks as well as work related to wood and food industries, poultries, swineries, waste handling plants, and other occupational environments involving contaminated organic material are among the ones posing higher respiratory risks to the workers. This paper presents a review of several studies related to occupational and indoor exposure to Aspergillus, potential health effects related to that exposure, and associated exposure assessment procedures.

Fostering creativity and communicative soft skills through leisure activities in management studies

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to gain insight into the way leisure activities and soft skills relate to creativity in higher education. It determines which activities have a positive impact on the student body’s overall education. Previous research evidences the relationship between specific leisure activities and creativity performance in several scenarios. Our work applies a broad range of these leisure activities to find results within our own specific student population.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology is based on a survey of 303 Spanish students in Business Administration and Tourism. The study uses two instruments to measure the creativity of students, the Runco Ideational Behavior Scale (RIBS) and a three-dimensional construct that measures divergent thinking (originality, fluency and flexibility).FindingsThe results reveal that the average for creativity is higher for those students participating in some of the activities proposed. A positive correlation was also observed between the number of leisure activities and the creativity measures analysed. This confirms that students participating in more leisure activities display higher levels of creativity. Finally, the results display that the vast majority of students are involved in some type of activity, but two of the interpersonal skills that companies appreciate the most (reading and writing) are performed by very few students. This is especially the case of writing.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the pedagogical strategies that can be used in universities to motivate practising leisure activities as a mean of fostering creativity. It is important to note that the involvement of students in leisure activities can benefit from their integration into the labour market.

Knowledge development in adventure tourism businesses – the influence of serious leisure

ABSTRACTThe development of high quality adventure tourism products requires continuous knowledge development. This development is challenged by the short seasons and the low wages of the adventure tourism industry. Eight case studies of adventure tourism businesses in Norway and New Zealand identified blurry borders between work and leisure in the adventure tourism industry. Through interviews and participant observation, characteristics of serious leisure [Stebbins, R. A. 1982. “Serious Leisure: A Conceptual Statement.” The Pacific Sociological Review 25: 251–272] were identified, as entrepreneurs and employees of adventure tourism businesses were involved in specific leisure activities taking place in the same natural environments as the commercial activities. The findings suggests that knowledge and motivation related to serious leisure can benefit the adventure tourism industry by motivating employees to stay with the industry and invest in training, through international work mobility and the creation of knowledgeable milieus. The study is intended to increase awareness on how knowledge developed through serious leisure can benefit the tourism industry.

Positive Emotional Effects of Leisure in Green Spaces in Alleviating Work-Family Spillover in Working Mothers.

Studies have shown that family and work spillover affects well-being and that leisure activities can alleviate the negative effects of work-related stress on health. However, few studies have focused on investigating the effects of specific leisure activities among specific populations. To examine whether leisure activities in green spaces can promote individual recovery processes and alleviate the effects of work and family spillover on positive emotions, this study applied the effort-recovery model to a population of working mothers. Through online and paper questionnaires, sample data were collected from 221 working mothers in Taiwan. Structural equation modeling was used to test the experimental hypothesis, and mediation analysis was used to determine whether leisure in green spaces is a mediating factor. The results indicated that leisure in green spaces is a mediator of the relationship of negative work and family spillover with positive emotions. In addition, strolls and park visits were found to provide greater psychological benefits to working mothers, compared with picnics.

The Role of Leisure Interest and Engagement for Subjective Well-Being

During the last decades, the association between leisure engagement and subjective well-being (SWB) has been examined. Yet, the role of the interest in specific leisure activities for SWB has been neglected. Thus, we examined whether the pure leisure engagement or the opportunity to realize the longing to pursue a leisure activity is linked to well-being. A sample of 402 participants completed an online survey about interests and the frequency of engagement in diverse leisure activities as well as physical, cognitive, and affective well-being. The study revealed that leisure engagement showed stronger associations with all aspects of well-being than leisure interest per se. More specifically, interest and engagement in social activities and sports showed robust associations with different facets of well-being. Furthermore, a high individual fit between leisure interest and engagement across diverse activities incrementally predicted SWB beyond leisure engagement per se. Analyses of nonlinear associations indicated that too much leisure engagement was associated with lower levels of SWB, but high interest in leisure activities buffered this effect. Thus, the intrinsic motivation to leisure activities may play an important role for well-being in addition to the sheer leisure engagement.

Personality, Emotional Qualities of Leisure, and Subjective Well-Being in the Elderly.

In this study, we examined personality traits of older adults and their emotional experiences associated with engaging in specific leisure activities. Older individuals (17 males, 32 females), ages ranging from 65 to 97 years (mean age 74), completed measures of Big Five personality traits, positive and negative affect, subjective well-being (SWB), independent functioning, and an emotion-activity inventory. As expected, Extraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Openness to experience were related to positive affect, while Neuroticism was related to negative affect. Openness and Agreeableness were related to positive emotions experienced in social and cognitive domains, and Agreeableness was related to greater SWB, greater positive affect, and more positively experienced activities. Neuroticism was related to lower SWB and fewer positively experienced activities. These findings suggest that assessing the fit between personality and emotions experienced during activities should be considered when creating programs tailored to elderly individuals, with the goal of encouraging more active and rewarding lives.

Judging Higher Education on the Merits: A Review of Deresiewicz, William, Excellent Sheep, The Miseducation of the American Elite and the Way to a Meaningful Life; Lani Guinier, The Tyranny of the Meritocracy: Democratizing Higher Education in America, and Lauren, A., Pedigree: How Elite Students Get Elite Jobs

Judging Higher Education on the Merits: A Review of Deresiewicz, William, <i>Excellent Sheep, The Miseducation of the American Elite and the Way to a Meaningful Life</i>; Lani Guinier, <i>The Tyranny of the Meritocracy: Democratizing Higher Education in America</i>, and Lauren, A., <i>Pedigree: How Elite Students Get Elite Jobs</i>