| HOME | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
RESEARCH ARTICLE |
Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Address correspondence to Verena H. Menec, Department of Community Health Sciences, The University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3E 0W3, Canada. E-mail: verena_menec{at}cpe.umanitoba.ca
Objectives. Activity has long been thought to be related to successul aging. This study was designed to examine longitudinally the relation between everyday activities and indicators of successful aging, namely well-being, function, and mortality.
Methods. The study was based on the Aging in Manitoba Study, with activity being measured in 1990 and function, well-being, and mortality assessed in 1996. Well-being was measured in terms of life satisfaction and happiness; function was defined in terms of a composite measure combining physical and cognitive function.
Results. Regression analyses indicated that greater overall activity level was related to greater happiness, better function, and reduced mortality. Different activities were related to different outcome measures; but generally, social and productive activities were positively related to happiness, function, and mortality, whereas more solitary activities (e.g., handwork hobbies) were related only to happiness.
Discussion. These findings highlight the importance of activity in successful aging. The results also suggest that different types of activities may have different benefits. Whereas social and productive activities may afford physical benefits, as reflected in better function and greater longevity, more solitary activities, such as reading, may have more psychological benefits by providing a sense of engagement with life.
This article has been cited by other articles:
 |
|
 |
|
  K. L. Siedlecki, O. Tatarina, L. Sanders, M. Albert, D. Blacker, B. Dubois, J. Brandt, and Y. Stern Comparison of Patient and Caregiver Reports of Patient Activity Participation and Its Relationship to Mental Health in Patients With Alzheimer's Disease J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci, November 1, 2009; 64B(6): 687 - 695. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. L. Chaves, A. L. Camozzato, C. L. Eizirik, and J. Kaye Predictors of Normal and Successful Aging Among Urban-Dwelling Elderly Brazilians J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci, September 1, 2009; 64B(5): 597 - 602. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 N. Coley, S. Andrieu, V. Gardette, S. Gillette-Guyonnet, C. Sanz, B. Vellas, and A. Grand Dementia Prevention: Methodological Explanations for Inconsistent Results Epidemiol. Rev., November 1, 2008; 30(1): 35 - 66. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 C. P. Krzyszton, N. L. Sparkman, R. W. Grant, J. B. Buchanan, S. R. Broussard, J. Woods, and R. W. Johnson Exacerbated fatigue and motor deficits in interleukin-10-deficient mice after peripheral immune stimulation Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, October 1, 2008; 295(4): R1109 - R1114. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 Y. Sugihara, H. Sugisawa, H. Shibata, and K. Harada Productive Roles, Gender, and Depressive Symptoms: Evidence From a National Longitudinal Study of Late-Middle-Aged Japanese J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., July 1, 2008; 63(4): P227 - P234. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. M. Jacobs, R. Hammerman-Rozenberg, A. Cohen, and J. Stessman Reading Daily Predicts Reduced Mortality Among Men From a Cohort of Community-Dwelling 70-Year-Olds J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., March 1, 2008; 63(2): S73 - S80. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. S. Moss, C. J. Hoffman, J. Mossey, and M. Rovine Changes Over 4 Years in Health, Quality of Life, Mental Health, and Valuation of Life J Aging Health, December 1, 2007; 19(6): 1025 - 1044. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
J. A. Burr, J. E. Mutchler, and F. G. Caro Productive Activity Clusters Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults: Intersecting Forms and Time Commitments J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., July 1, 2007; 62(4): S267 - S275. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J M Torrington and P R Tregenza Lighting for people with dementia Lighting Research and Technology, March 1, 2007; 39(1): 81 - 97. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. Seitsamo, K. Tuomi, and R. Martikainen Activity, functional capacity and well-being in ageing Finnish workers Occup. Med., March 1, 2007; 57(2): 85 - 91. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. A. Greenfield and N. F. Marks Continuous Participation in Voluntary Groups as a Protective Factor for the Psychological Well-Being of Adults Who Develop Functional Limitations: Evidence From the National Survey of Families and Households J. Gerontol. B. Psychol. Sci. Soc. Sci., January 1, 2007; 62(1): S60 - S68. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 J. E. Fast, D. Dosman, and L. Moran Productive Activity in Later Life: Stability and Change Across Three Decades Research on Aging, November 1, 2006; 28(6): 691 - 712. [Abstract] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. Bowling and P. Dieppe What is successful ageing and who should define it? BMJ, December 24, 2005; 331(7531): 1548 - 1551. [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
| HOME | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
|---|
