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Everyday activity parameters and competence in older adults
D Pushkar1, T Arbuckle, M Conway
1Centre for Research in Human Development, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. PUSHKAR@vax2.concordia.ca
Psychology and Aging
|January 7, 1998
Summary
Cognitive, social, and emotional competence influence how older adults engage with daily activities. Activity parameters explained competence, but the challenge hypothesis linking moderate difficulty to well-being was not supported.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Psychology
- Sociology
Background:
- Older adults' engagement in everyday activities is crucial for maintaining cognitive, social, and emotional competence.
- Understanding the relationship between activity parameters and psychological functioning is vital for healthy aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine how parameters of everyday activities relate to cognitive, social, and emotional competence in older adults.
- To test the challenge hypothesis, which posits that moderately difficult optional activities enhance well-being.
Main Methods:
- Two studies involving older adults utilized life history interviews and psychological functioning measures.
- The Everyday Activities Questionnaire assessed parameters like frequency, difficulty, importance, and performance ability.
- Competence variables were analyzed in relation to activity parameters, controlling for age and demographics.
Main Results:
- Competence variables significantly explained various parameters of everyday activities, independent of age and demographic factors.
- No evidence supported the challenge hypothesis; moderately difficult optional activities did not correlate with greater well-being.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive, social, and emotional competence are key factors influencing how older adults engage with their daily lives.
- The challenge hypothesis is not supported in the context of older adults' well-being and activity engagement.