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Contribution of Generative Leisure Activities to Cognitive Function in Elderly Sri Lankan Adults
Author(s) -
Maselko Joanna,
Sebranek Matthew,
Mun Mirna H.,
Perera Bilesha,
Ahs Jill,
Østbye Truls
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/jgs.12985
Subject(s) - cognition , gerontology , medicine , psychological intervention , activities of daily living , cross sectional study , physical therapy , psychiatry , pathology
Objectives To examine the unique contribution of generative leisure activities, defined as activities motivated by a concern for others and a need to contribute something to the next generation. Design Cross‐sectional survey. Setting Peri‐urban and rural area in southern Sri Lanka. Participants Community‐dwelling adults aged 60 and older (N = 252). Measurements The main predictors were leisure activities, grouped into generative, social, or solitary. The main outcome was cognitive function, assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (Mo CA ) and the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly ( IQCODE ). Results More‐frequent engagement in generative leisure activities was associated with higher levels of cognitive function, independent of the effect of other social and solitary leisure activities. In a fully adjusted model combining all three leisure activities, generative activities independently predicted cognitive function as measured using the Mo CA ( β  = 0.47, 95% confidence interval ( CI ) = 0.11–0.83) and the IQCODE ( β  = −0.81, 95% CI  = −1.54 to −0.09). In this combined model, solitary activities were also independently associated with slower cognitive decline using the Mo CA ( β  = 0.40, 95% CI  = 0.16–0.64) but not the IQCODE ( β  = −0.38, 95% CI  = −0.88–0.12); the association with social activities did not reach statistical significance with either measure. These associations did not differ meaningfully according to sex. Conclusion Generative leisure activities are a promising area for the development of interventions aimed at reducing cognitive decline in elderly adults.

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