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Community Participation in an Australian Retirement Village
Author(s) -
McDonald J.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
australian journal on ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1741-6612
pISSN - 0726-4240
DOI - 10.1111/j.1741-6612.1996.tb00023.x
Subject(s) - friendship , marital status , community participation , participant observation , social engagement , socioeconomics , demographic economics , geography , gerontology , sociology , psychology , demography , social psychology , medicine , social science , economics , population
A case study of an Australian retirement village investigated patterns of social participation among residents. Participation was defined in terms of three major dimensions: neighbouring, involvement in organised activities and committees, and friendship. Data from in‐depth interviews, documentary analysis and participant observation were analysed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Neighbouring among residents flourished. Compared to overseas findings, important differences were observed. While the overall rate of involvement in organised social activities was comparable, gender, marital status and health affected the level and type of involvement. Close friendships within the village were fewer and qualitatively poorer than reported for overseas villages. Factors which promote and inhibit participation in village life are identified .