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Cited by 298Aging and Gerontology ResearchAging, Health, and DisabilityAging, Elder Care, and Social Issues

Does Engagement With Life Enhance Survival of Elderly People in Sweden? The Role of Social and Leisure Activities

Lennartsson, C., Silverstein, M.·2001·The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
DOI 10.1093/geronb/56.6.s335
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Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This research examined whether engagement with life, defined as involvement in social, leisure, and productive activities, produced a survival advantage among oldest old persons in Sweden. Survival was investigated with respect to activities that involved (a) social integration, (b) physical mobility, and (c) neither social nor physical aspects. The authors also investigated the degree to which any observed survival benefits were related to prior health differences that select older adults into active roles. METHODS: Baseline data derived from the Swedish Panel Study of Living Conditions of the Oldest Old, a nationally representative sample of persons aged 77 years and older living in Sweden in 1992. The authors used factor analysis to apply a simplifying measurement structure to frequency of participation in 10 leisure activities. They used Cox proportional hazard regression to estimate the relative effects of activity factors and other independent variables on the logged hazard rate of mortality up to 1996. RESULTS: Analyses revealed 4 domains of activities that lie along 2 basic dimensions: solitary-social and sedentary-active. Among men, only participation in activities that were both solitary and active was significantly associated with reduced mortality risk when health variables were controlled. Among women, none of the activity domains was significant when health variables were controlled. For the entire sample, greater participation in solitary-active activities significantly reduced risk of mortality when all other activity domains and health factors were controlled. DISCUSSION: Although most of the observed associations between activity involvement and survival are a byproduct of the confound between poor initial health and low activity levels, solitary activities have a positive influence on the survival of very old individuals, especially men, suggesting that nonsocial aspects of activities may promote health and longevity in late old age.

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Authors
Lennartsson, C., & Silverstein, M.
Affiliations
  • Stockholm University (SE)
  • University of Southern California (US)
Corresponding author
Lennartsson, C.
ORCID
Venue
The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2001-11-01
Volume
56
Issue
6
Pages
S335-S342
ISSN
  • 1079-5014 (ISSN-L)
  • 1758-5368
DOI
10.1093/geronb/56.6.s335
OpenAlex
W2116185599
Cited by
298
References
5
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 16 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 17 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 17
FWCI
8.92
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • The Journals of Gerontology Series B (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Neuropsychology and Physiological Psychology › Aging and Gerontology Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Aging, Health, and Disability
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Aging, Elder Care, and Social Issues
Keywords
oldest old, mortality, survival, social activity, leisure, solitary activities, physical activity, social integration, physical mobility, sex differences, health selection, longevity
MeSH terms
Activities of Daily Living, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Aging, Female, Humans, Leisure Activities, Longevity, Male, Motivation, Motor Activity, Social Behavior, Social Environment, Sweden, Geriatric Assessment

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