Leisure, household activities, and health among Mexican American elders with cancer

Because physical inactivity is a major factor relating to chronic illnesses affecting Hispanics, the quality of one's health assumes greater importance for vulnerable populations diagnosed with cancer. The purpose of this study was to examine the direct effects of leisure activities and specific household activities on mental and physical health among a group of older Mexican Americans diagnosed with cancer. The study was conducted using data from the second wave of the Hispanic Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (H-EPESE). The authors used a subsample of 61 men and 108 women with a diagnosis of cancer (N = 169). They applied multiple regression analyses to examine the effects of leisure and household activities on four indicators of health: self-reported health, cutting down on activities, satisfaction with life, and depressive symptoms. The results indicated that leisure activity participation and especially heavy household activities were significantly related to self-reported health, cutting down on activities, and depressive symptoms. Implications for practice, policy, and future research are discussed.