Erika L Sabbath1, Christina Matz-Costa2, John W Rowe3, Annette Leclerc4, Marie Zins4, Marcel Goldberg4, Lisa F Berkman5. 1. Boston College School of Social Work, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA Center for Population and Development Studies, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA erika.sabbath@bc.edu. 2. Boston College School of Social Work, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA. 3. Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA. 4. INSERM, Population-based Epidemiologic Cohorts Unit, UMS 011, Villejuif, France INSERM UMR-S 1168 VIMA, Villejuif, France Versailles St-Quentin University, UMS 011, F-94807, Villejuif, France. 5. Center for Population and Development Studies, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Active life engagement is important for successful aging of societies and individuals. We tested predictors of engagement in French adults aged 60-74 (the GAZEL cohort). METHODS: Participants (n = 10,764) reported the previous day's activities in a time-use survey. We modeled concurrent social, demographic, and health predictors of participation incidence and intensity in paid work, volunteering, caregiving, community involvement, and informal social interaction. RESULTS: Men were more active in volunteering/community activities and women in caregiving and informal social interaction. Participation varied inversely with socioeconomic status (SES). Paid work participation declined linearly with age and health status, but this relationship did not hold for other activities. CONCLUSIONS: Men and those of higher SES were more likely to participate in certain activities than were women and those of low lifetime SES, potentially limiting the latter groups' future health and well-being benefits from such activities. Findings suggest groups that could benefit from interventions to increase engagement.
BACKGROUND: Active life engagement is important for successful aging of societies and individuals. We tested predictors of engagement in French adults aged 60-74 (the GAZEL cohort). METHODS:Participants (n = 10,764) reported the previous day's activities in a time-use survey. We modeled concurrent social, demographic, and health predictors of participation incidence and intensity in paid work, volunteering, caregiving, community involvement, and informal social interaction. RESULTS:Men were more active in volunteering/community activities and women in caregiving and informal social interaction. Participation varied inversely with socioeconomic status (SES). Paid work participation declined linearly with age and health status, but this relationship did not hold for other activities. CONCLUSIONS:Men and those of higher SES were more likely to participate in certain activities than were women and those of low lifetime SES, potentially limiting the latter groups' future health and well-being benefits from such activities. Findings suggest groups that could benefit from interventions to increase engagement.