A Study of Leisure Walking on Mental Health and Health Perception among Older Adults
Date
2019-12
Authors
Han, Areum
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Abstract
<p>This study determined intensity levels of leisure walking that affect mental health
and health perception among older adults participating in different intensity levels of
leisure walking groups. Using the 2017 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) data,
4,737 individuals aged 65 and above participating in leisure walking were extracted
through a purposive sampling method. This study classified three groups based on an
intensity level of leisure walking such as light walking, moderate walking, and vigorous
walking. In order to compare group differences in leisure walking intensity level by
demographic characteristics, t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were
used.</p>
<p>As a result of t-test, there were significant differences in intensity levels of leisure
walking based on gender categories (t = 3.55, p < .001) and distress experience (t = -2.12,
p < .05). As a result of ANOVA, there were significant differences in intensity levels of
leisure walking by three different age groups (F = 4.974, p < .01). One-way multivariate
analysis of variance (MANOVA) was utilized to compare group differences in mental
health and health perception by intensity levels of leisure walking. As a result of
MANOVA, there were significant differences in mental health and health perception
among three groups of older adults. Older adults who participated in the moderateintensity level of leisure walking reported better mental health than those individuals who
participated in the light intensity level of leisure walking (F = 7.84, η2 = .003, p < .001).
Older adults who participated in vigorous and moderate-intensity levels of leisure walking activity reported better health perception than those individuals who participated
in the light intensity levels of leisure walking activity (F = 29.63, η2
= .012, p < .001).</p>
<p>This study suggested that participation in the increased intensity levels of leisure
walking served as an important vehicle for promoting positive health outcomes (e, g.,
psychological wellness) among older adults. Engagement in the vigorous and moderate
intensity of leisure walking contributed to improved mental health and health perception
among older adults. Leisure service providers and recreational therapists can help
different older age groups decrease negative psychological symptoms (e. g., depression
and anxiety) and enhance mental health and health perception by designing and
implementing vigorous and moderate levels of leisure walking activities.
Keywords: Leisure walking, mental health, health perception, older adults.</p>
Description
Keywords
Leisure walking, Mental health, Health perception, Older adults
Citation
Han, A. (2019). <i>A study of leisure walking on mental health and health perception among older adults</i> (Unpublished thesis). Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.