Junhyoung Kim1, Jaehyun Kim2, Yongseop Kim3, Areum Han4, Minh Cong Nguyen5. 1. School of Public Health, Indiana University, 801 N Jordan Ave, 1025 E. 7th Street, Bloomington, IN 47401, USA. Electronic address: kim9@iu.edu. 2. Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies, State University of New York, College at Brockport. Electronic address: kjhup11@gmail.com. 3. School of Public Health, Indiana University, 801 N Jordan Ave, 1025 E. 7th Street, Bloomington, IN 47401, USA. Electronic address: yk67@iu.edu. 4. Department of Physical Education, Dongduk Women's University, 60 Hwarang-ro 13-gil, Wolgok 2-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address: aruemee@naver.com. 5. Hospitality and Tourism Institute, Duy Tan University, 254 Nguyen Van Linh Street, Da Nang, Viet Nam. Electronic address: nguyencongminh@duytan.edu.vn.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Prior studies have suggested that certain leisure activities provide health benefits to people with physical disabilities. Participation in social activities has been identified as a strong predictor of active coping strategies and social support from others. In addition, leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) has been found to be positively associated with health perceptions and quality of life. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between social activity and LTPA to social support and life satisfaction among people with physical disabilities. METHODS: Data were collected from Korean Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities. A total of 351 surveys were used. RESULTS: Results indicated that social activity, emotional and informational support, and tangible and affectionate support were significantly associated with happiness. However, there were no direct effects of LTPA and positive social interaction support on happiness. The study results showed significant direct effects of LTPA on emotional and informational support and positive social interaction. CONCLUSION: This study shows that it is important for people with physical disabilities not only to participate in LTPA, but also to be provided with opportunities for social activities. In particular, the importance of social activity to Korean people with physical disabilities as a means of receiving social support and increasing happiness was confirmed. The results suggest that practitioners need to create a variety of social activity opportunities, such as online social participation programs, community-based social programs, and social events for health.
BACKGROUND: Prior studies have suggested that certain leisure activities provide health benefits to people with physical disabilities. Participation in social activities has been identified as a strong predictor of active coping strategies and social support from others. In addition, leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) has been found to be positively associated with health perceptions and quality of life. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between social activity and LTPA to social support and life satisfaction among people with physical disabilities. METHODS: Data were collected from Korean Association of Persons with Physical Disabilities. A total of 351 surveys were used. RESULTS: Results indicated that social activity, emotional and informational support, and tangible and affectionate support were significantly associated with happiness. However, there were no direct effects of LTPA and positive social interaction support on happiness. The study results showed significant direct effects of LTPA on emotional and informational support and positive social interaction. CONCLUSION: This study shows that it is important for people with physical disabilities not only to participate in LTPA, but also to be provided with opportunities for social activities. In particular, the importance of social activity to Korean people with physical disabilities as a means of receiving social support and increasing happiness was confirmed. The results suggest that practitioners need to create a variety of social activity opportunities, such as online social participation programs, community-based social programs, and social events for health.
Authors: Ali Lakhani; Salvatore Dema; Josh Hose; Nazim Erdem; Dennis Wollersheim; Peter Grimbeek; Susan Charlifue Journal: Health Soc Care Community Date: 2022-08-04