Enhancing a Sense of Independence and Psychological Well-Being Among the Elderly: A Field Experiment

Abstract

The sense of control and freedom an individual has is critical to both physical and psychological health. Perceived locus of control and competence are two important aspects of a sense of independence. Leisure education has long been suggested as an important modality for increasing individual's control and competence and as a result, life satisfaction. This field experiment was designed to test that hypothesis among a sample of older adults who had recently reported ceasing participation in their favorite recreation activity or were experiencing problems which were limiting their participation in their favorite leisure activity. Thirteen experimental group subjects (15 controls) went through an extensive leisure education protocol based on Bullock and Howe's (1991) model. Subjects in the experimental group experienced higher levels of perceived leisure control, leisure competence, and life satisfaction and reduced levels of boredom when compared to the control group. However, a more generalized sense of control did not increase for the experimental group. The data do support the potential of leisure education as an effective means for promoting a sense of independence among the elderly. Further research is needed to assess behavioral outcomes.

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