Bi-directional association between outdoor or social activities and cognitive function: do the PM2.5 exposure catalyze the detrimental inactivity-poor cognition cycle?

BACKGROUND: Previous research has shown that lack of leisure activities, either outdoor or social activities, impedes cognitive function. However, the interrelationship between poor cognition and deficient activities is understudied. In addition, whether exposure to air pollution, such as PM2.5, can accelerate the detrimental 'inactivity-poor cognition' cycle, is worthy of investigation. METHODS: We used data from the 2008, 2011, 2014, and 2018 waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). We assessed the frequency of outdoor or social activities at each wave. The cognitive function was examined using a China-Modified Mini-mental State Examination. We estimated the residential exposure to fine particular matter (PM2.5) via a satellite-based model. We applied cross-lagged panel (CLP) model to examine the bi-directional relationship between outdoor or social activities and cognitive function. We then examined the effect of PM2.5 exposure with sequent cognitive function and activities using generalized estimation equation (GEE) model. FINDINGS: Overall, we observed significant bi-directional associations between outdoor or social activities and cognitive function. Participants with better cognitive function in the last wave were more likely to engage in outdoor or social activities in the following wave (outdoor activities: ß = 0.37, 95% CI [0.27,0.48], P < 0.01; social activities: ß = 0.05, 95% CI [0.02,0.09] P < 0.01). Meanwhile, higher engagement in outdoor or social activities in the last wave was associated with more favorable cognitive function in the following wave (outdoor activities: ß = 0.06, 95% CI [0.03,0.09], P < 0.01; social activities: ß = 0.10, 95% CI [0.03,0.18], P < 0.01). Notably, an increase in PM2.5 exposure during the preceding year was significantly associated with a declining cognitive function (ß = -0.05, 95% CI [-0.08,-0.03], P < 0.01), outdoor activities (ß = -0.02, 95% CI [-0.04, -0.01], P < 0.01) and social activities (ß = -0.02, 95% CI [-0.02, -0.01], P < 0.01) in the current year; the lagged effects of the PM2.5 exposure in the past year of the last wave on activities and cognitive function of the following wave were also observed. INTERPRETATION: Our findings not only indicate the bi-directional links between the frequency of outdoor or social activities and cognitive function, but also report that PM2.5 exposure plays a role in catalyzing the detrimental inactivity-poor cognition cycle. Future research should investigate whether the policy-driven interventions, such as clean air policies, can break the unfavorable activity-cognition cycle, and thereby promoting health from the dual gains in leisure activities and cognition.

A thematic analysis of how men and women post 56 years, unwind from work during their free time.

BACKGROUND: Recent research indicates that as men age, their tendency to ruminate about work decreases, while ruminating remains high in women, which poses an increased risk for impaired health among older women. OBJECTIVE: This study explored gender differences/similarities in the process of unwinding from work in men and women aged between 56-65 years. METHODS: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted online with eight men and eight women, recruited from a UK leading organization that provides health care solutions between May and June 2022. Participants were asked about their job role and responsibilities, their leisure time activities, how they unwind post work, and their experiences of thinking about work related thoughts outside of work. Transcripts were analyzed using an inductive analysis. RESULTS: Three superordinate themes were identified that underpinned their ability to unwind: 'Work style', 'Creating work-life balance' and 'Switching off from one's responsibilities'. Women reported a more perfectionist approach, they set high standards for themselves, were worried about making mistakes, and demonstrated, if in a supervisory role, a more nurturing and holistic approach to their colleagues/subordinates, while men, were more focused on task completion. Most women, but not men, also described difficulties in psychologically switching off from work, and stated they could only truly relax outside the home, when they are away from household activities. CONCLUSION: The study provides nuanced insights into the experiences of unwinding from work, and the findings suggest the need for person-centric approaches in developing interventions to help workers over 56 years to psychologically disengage from work.

Preventing smoking initiation in adolescents living in vulnerable socioeconomic conditions: Study protocol of the KickAsh!-intervention.

AIMS: Adolescents living in vulnerable socioeconomic conditions are confronted with tobacco-related health disparities. As school-based interventions appear to be less effective among these youngsters, other approaches are necessary. One promising avenue is youth social work settings that offer sport and recreational activities (SR-settings). SR-settings have been examined as a levering context for health promotion, but evidence regarding smoking prevention is currently lacking. METHODS: This study describes the protocol of a non-randomised cluster controlled trial evaluating a smoking prevention intervention for adolescents. At least 24 SR-settings are needed for the intervention and control group. A mixed-method design will be used. Quantitative measures will be used to assess effectiveness, involving validated questionnaires on smoking initiation behaviour and influencing factors (i.e. attitude, self-efficacy, social influence and risk perception). In addition, feasibility will be assessed with regard to intervention fidelity, dose and reach. Data will be collected at baseline, three and nine months following the intervention. To gain deeper understanding on the impact and underlying processes of the intervention, we will conduct qualitative interviews with users (adolescents) and implementers (youth workers within the SR-settings) of the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Conducting this trial will offer novel insights into the effectiveness of a smoking prevention intervention designed for adolescents living in vulnerable socioeconomic conditions. A mixed-method design will enable to measure impact, implementation and underlying processes of the intervention. Overall, this design will enhance our understanding on the suitability of SR-settings as contexts for smoking prevention initiatives targeting hard-to-reach youth. This trial is registered on Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT05920772.

Effects of cognitive reserve on cognitive frailty among older adults: A population-based prospective cohort study.

AIM: We investigated the effect of lifespan cognitive reserve and its components on cognitive frailty among older adults. METHODS: A total of 4922 participants aged ≥65 years were recruited in 2008 and were followed up in 2011 from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. Cognitive frailty was determined through the simultaneous presence of physical frailty (pre-frailty or frailty) and mild cognitive impairment, excluding concurrent dementia. The assessment of physical frailty and mild cognitive impairment was based on the Fatigue, Resistence, Ambulation, Illness, Loss of weight (FRAIL) (Fatigue, Resistence, Ambulation, Illness, Loss) and Mini-Mental State Examination scale, respectively. The lifespan cognitive reserve consisted of education attainment, occupational complexity and later-life leisure activities. We used logistic regression models to estimate the risk of cognitive frailty associated with the lifespan cognitive reserve and its components. RESULTS: A higher level of lifespan cognitive reserve, higher educational attainment or leisure activities engagement, but not occupational complexity, were associated with lower risk of incident cognitive frailty. Furthermore, cognitive, social and physical activities were associated with lower risk of incident cognitive frailty. CONCLUSION: Cognitive reserve, particularly educational attainment and leisure activities, can protect from cognitive frailty. This implicates that individuals should accumulate cognitive reserve in their lifespan, and older adults should actively participate in leisure activities to prevent cognitive frailty. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 398-403.

Physical Leisure Activities in Adolescents with Disabilities: Data from National Survey of Disabled Persons.

The impact of activities of daily living (ADLs) on the life satisfaction of adolescents with disabilities and the potential role of physical leisure activities as a moderator in this context have received attention. However, little is known about the influence of physical leisure activities on the relationship between ADLs and life satisfaction in adolescents with disabilities. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the moderating effect of physical leisure activities on the relationship between ADLs and life satisfaction among adolescents with disabilities. Secondary data analysis was conducted by extracting data from 5364 adolescents aged 12-18 years with disabilities from the 2020 National Survey of Disabled Persons of Korea. The potential moderating effect of physical leisure activities on the relationship between ADLs and life satisfaction was investigated using Pearson's correlation analysis and hierarchical multiple regression. Significant positive correlations were found for living, life satisfaction, and physical leisure activities. Physical leisure activities were found to play a moderating role in the relationship between ADLs and life satisfaction. This study concluded that increasing physical leisure activities, even with dependent ADLs, promotes life satisfaction, especially if ADLs are low, highlighting the necessity of increasing leisure activities in adolescents with disabilities.

The effects of living arrangements and leisure activities on depressive symptoms of Chinese older adults: Evidence from panel data analysis.

BACKGROUND: Livable environment and ways, as the necessary conditions for the elderly to enjoy their old age, have a significant impact on their mental health and happiness. It's crucial to understand how living arrangements affect depressive symptoms in China. Studies on how various leisure activities modify this association are yet limited. METHODS: This study relies on panel data derived from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), collected during waves spanning 2008/2009, 2011/2012, 2014, and 2018. The primary objective is to examine the relationship between living arrangements, leisure activities, and depressive symptoms of elderly individuals. Linear mixed-effects models were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: A total of 26,342 observations aged 65 and over were included in this paper. Older adults living alone (ß = 0.66, 95 % CI: 0.55, 0.76) or living in institutions (ß = 0.69, 95 % CI: 0.40, 0.98) had more depressive symptoms than those living with family. Leisure activities were negatively associated with depressive symptoms (ß = -0.16, 95 % CI: -0.18, -0.15). Moreover, there was significant interactions between living arrangements and leisure activities. No matter which kind of living arrangements, participating in physical, productive or social activity was associated with a lower risk of depressive symptoms. LIMITATIONS: Study design might introduce bias, and it cannot establish causality between the tested variables. CONCLUSIONS: Older adults living alone or in institutions have more possibility to develop depressive symptoms than those living with family, and such a relationship among Chinese older adults can be moderated by participating in leisure activities.

Impact of Migraine on Daily Life: Results of the Observational survey of the Epidemiology, Treatment, and Care of Migraine (OVERCOME [Japan]) Study.

INTRODUCTION: The impacts of migraine on daily life, including daily activities and fundamental health indicators (sleep and mental health), have not been described in detail for people with migraine in Japan. METHODS: The cross-sectional ObserVational survey of the Epidemiology, tReatment, and Care Of MigrainE (OVERCOME [Japan]) study was conducted between July and September 2020. Impacts of migraine on housework, family/social/leisure activities, driving, and sleep were assessed using questions from the Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS), Migraine-Specific Quality-of-Life Questionnaire, and Impact of Migraine on Partners and Adolescent Children scales and questions developed for OVERCOME (Japan). The Migraine Interictal Burden Scale (MIBS-4) evaluated burden on days without headaches. Depression and anxiety were assessed with the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scales, respectively. Impacts on daily life were also described across MIDAS/MIBS-4 categories. RESULTS: Among 17,071 respondents with migraine, 24.8% required assistance with housework at least sometimes. Migraine interfered with relationships, leisure, and social activities at least sometimes for 31.8%, 41.6%, and 18.0% of respondents, respectively. Between headache days, 26.8% of respondents worried about planning social/leisure activities at least sometimes. Among respondents living with family (N = 13,548), migraine also had impacts on participation in and enjoyment of family activities. Among respondents who drove (N = 10,921), 43.9% reported that symptoms interfered with driving at least sometimes. Migraine interfered with sleep and mood at least sometimes for 52.7% and 70.7% of respondents, respectively. PHQ-8 and GAD-7 thresholds for clinical depression and anxiety were met by 28.6% and 22.0% of respondents, respectively. Impact of migraine on daily life increased with increasing severity of MIDAS/MIBS-4 categories. CONCLUSION: The burden of migraine on daily activities, sleep, and mental health is substantial for people with migraine in Japan. In clinical practice, it is important to evaluate the impact of migraine on daily life in addition to migraine symptoms.

Self-reported mid- to late-life physical and recreational activities: Associations with late-life cognition.

OBJECTIVE: Physical and recreational activities are behaviors that may modify risk of late-life cognitive decline. We sought to examine the role of retrospectively self-reported midlife (age 40) physical and recreational activity engagement - and self-reported change in these activities from age 40 to initial study visit - in predicting late-life cognition. METHOD: Data were obtained from 898 participants in a longitudinal study of cognitive aging in demographically and cognitively diverse older adults (Age: range = 49-93 years, M = 75, SD = 7.19). Self-reported physical and recreational activity participation at age 40 and at the initial study visit were quantified using the Life Experiences Assessment Form. Change in activities was modeled using latent change scores. Cognitive outcomes were obtained annually (range = 2-17 years) using the Spanish and English Neuropsychological Assessment Scales, which measure verbal episodic memory, semantic memory, visuospatial processing, and executive functioning. RESULTS: Physical activity engagement at age 40 was strongly associated with cognitive performance in all four domains at the initial visit and with global cognitive slope. However, change in physical activities after age 40 was not associated with cognitive outcomes. In contrast, recreational activity engagement - both at age 40 and change after 40 - was predictive of cognitive intercepts and slope. CONCLUSIONS: Retrospectively self-reported midlife physical and recreational activity engagement were strongly associated with late-life cognition - both level of performance and rate of future decline. However, the data suggest that maintenance of recreational activity engagement (e.g., writing, taking classes, reading) after age 40 is more strongly associated with late-life cognition than continued maintenance of physical activity levels.

Association between psychosocial working conditions and well-being before retirement: a community-based study.

Psychosocial working conditions have been linked to mental health outcomes, but their association with well-being is poorly studied. We aimed to investigate the association between psychosocial working conditions and well-being before retirement, and to explore the role of gender and leisure activities in the association. From the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen, 598 community dwellers aged 60-65 years were included in the cross-sectional study. Lifelong occupational history was obtained through an interview. Job demands and job control in the longest-held occupation were graded with job exposure matrices. Psychosocial working conditions were classified into high strain (high demands, low control), low strain (low demands, high control), passive job (low demands, low control), and active job (high demands, high control). Well-being was assessed with the 10-item version of positive and negative affect schedule, and scored using confirmatory factor analysis. Engagement in leisure activities was categorized as low, moderate, and high. Data were analyzed using linear regression. Both high job control and high job demands were dose-dependently associated with higher well-being. Overall, compared to active jobs, passive jobs were associated with lower well-being (ß -0.19, 95% CI -0.35 to -0.02, P = 0.028). Passive (ß -0.28, 95% CI -0.51 to -0.04, P = 0.020) and high strain (ß -0.31, 95% CI -0.52 to -0.10, P = 0.004) jobs were associated with lower well-being in men, but not in women. The association between passive jobs and well-being was attenuated by high leisure activities, while the association between high strain and well-being was magnified by low leisure activities. In conclusion, negative psychosocial working conditions are associated with poor well-being, especially in men. Leisure activities may modulate the association. Our study highlights that promoting favorable working conditions can be a target to improve well-being among employees and active participation in leisure activities is encouraged to cope with work-related stress for better well-being.

The evolving impact of engaging in leisure activities towards life quality: A longitudinal study of elderly in the UK.

We examine the evolving impact of leisure activities (LA) on three key measures of the elderly's life quality: cognitive functioning (CF), psychological well-being (PWB), and life enjoyment (LE). Using four waves of the English Longitudinal Studies of Ageing between 2008 and 2014 with 7097 respondents, we investigate how the elderly's LA influence their CF, PWB, and LE. Building on the theoretical perspective of being active in promoting psycho-mental health, we confirm the positive impact of engaging in LA, such as going to the cinema/theatre and eating out, on the elderly's life quality. We further reveal the evolving impact of LA on the elderly's life quality. In a steady manner, LA directly promote the elderly's LE. In a declining pattern, CF and PWB mediate the relationships between LA and LE. As such, the impact of LA in sustaining perceived LE occurs dominantly as a direct effect during the activity. The elderly's LE throughout their old age can originate from engaging in LA, which mainly work directly rather than indirectly through CF and PWB.

Cognitive prescriptions for reducing dementia risk factors among Black/African Americans: feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy.

OBJECTIVES: Black/African Americans (B/AAs) have double the risk of Alzheimer's disease and related dementia than Whites, which is largely driven by health behaviors. This study examined the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a pilot randomized clinical trial of an individualized multidomain health behavior intervention among middle-aged and older B/AAs (dubbed Cognitive Prescriptions [CogRx]). DESIGN: Thirty-nine community-dwelling B/AA participants aged 45-65 without significant cognitive impairment were randomized to one of three groups: CogRx, Psychoeducation, or no-contact control. The Psychoeducation and CogRx groups received material on dementia prevalence, prognosis, and risk factors, while the CogRx group additionally received information on their risk factor profile across the five CogRx domains (physical, cognitive, and social activity, diet, sleep). This information was used for developing tailored 3-month goals in their suboptimal areas. RESULTS: The CogRx program had high retention (all 13 CogRx participants completed the 3-month program and 97% of the full sample completed at least 1 follow-up) and was well-received as exhibited by qualitative and quantitative feedback. Themes identified in the positive feedback provided by participants on the program included: increased knowledge, goal-setting, personalization, and motivation. The COVID-19 pandemic was a consistent theme that emerged regarding barriers of adherence to the program. All three groups improved on dementia knowledge, with the largest effects observed in CogRx and Psychoeducation groups. Increases in cognitive, physical, and overall leisure activities favored the CogRx group, whereas improvements in sleep outcomes favored Psychoeducation and CogRx groups as compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: The CogRx program demonstrated feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy in increasing dementia knowledge and targeted health behaviors. Further refinement and testing of the implementation and effectiveness of similar person-centered dementia prevention approaches are needed on a larger scale in diverse populations. Such findings may have implications for clinical and public health recommendations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03864536.

Leisure time activities in adolescents predict problematic technology use.

The problematic use of technology of children and adolescents is becoming a growing problem. Research has shown that excessive technology use predicts a variety of psychological and physical health problems. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of leisure time activities (structured and unstructured) in adolescents as a predictor of problematic technology use. Participants were 7723 adolescents, of which 55% were girls, from four Spanish-speaking countries (Chile, Spain, Mexico, and Peru) between the ages of 13 and 18 years. The evaluation instrument applied was the YOURLIFE project self-report questionnaire. Two executive functions were measured: goal setting and inhibitory control. Using structural equation modeling, findings indicated that structured leisure time activities predicted less PTU, whereas unstructured activities predicted more PTU, MLχ2 (69, N = 7723) = 806.60; CFI = 0.929, RMSEA = 0.042, and the model had good predictive capacity for PTU (R2 = 0.46). Structured and unstructured activities also showed indirect effects on PTU through executive functions. As adolescents spent more time in unstructured leisure activities, poorer goal setting, inhibitory control skills, and more PTU were found. The opposite was true for structured leisure time activities. Implications of structured leisure activities to develop executive functioning and to prevent PTU for adolescents are discussed.

Barreiras e facilitadores ambientais na participação da criança com paralisia cerebral em atividades de recreação e lazer: uma revisão integrativa / Environmental barriers and facilitators to the participation of children with cerebral palsy in recreational and leisure activities: an integrative review

Resumo A participação de crianças com paralisia cerebral (PC) em atividades de recreação e lazer pode ser influenciada por fatores ambientais. O reconhecimento e compreensão desses fatores como barreiras ou facilitadores dessas atividades são essenciais para garantir o direito de participação dessas crianças em condições de igualdade com as demais pessoas da sociedade. Neste contexto, o objetivo desta revisão integrativa foi identificar as barreiras e facilitadores ambientais na participação de crianças com PC em atividades de recreação e lazer. Utilizou-se o método de revisão integrativa proposto por Whittemore e Knafl (2005). Estudos publicados entre 2011 e 2022 nos idiomas português e/ou inglês foram selecionados a partir das fontes de indexação MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE, SciELO, LILACS, SCOPUS e Web of Science. Nove estudos foram incluídos na revisão - a maioria de desenho transversal e abordagem qualitativa. Os seguintes facilitadores da participação foram identificados: apoio dos pais, pares e professores; interação com adultos; terapias; condições materiais; atividades em casa, na escola e na comunidade; diversidade de brinquedos; e atividades culturais. As seguintes barreiras à participação foram identificadas: falta de acesso a transportes públicos; atitudes negativas; falta de escolha e menor interação dos pais; e falta de adequação das atividades. A Classificação de Funcionalidade, Incapacidade e Saúde (CIF) e os conceitos pirâmide de participação e família de constructos foram fundamentais para identificar as barreiras e facilitadores ambientais na participação de crianças com PC. Sugere-se que estudos futuros sejam conduzidos para avaliar a qualidade e a força da evidência para participantes com 11 anos de idade incompletos.

Abstract The participation of children with cerebral palsy (CP) in recreation and leisure activities can be influenced by environmental factors. The recognition and understanding of these factors as barriers or facilitators of these activities are essential to guarantee the right of these children to participate on equal terms with other people in society. In this context, the objective of this integrative review was to identify environmental barriers and facilitators in the participation of children with CP in recreation and leisure activities. The integrative review method proposed by Whittemore and Knafl (2005) was used. Studies published between 2011 and 2022 in Portuguese and/or English were selected from MEDLINE indexing sources via PubMed, EMBASE, SciELO, LILACS, SCOPUS and Web of Science. Nine studies were included in the review - most of them cross-sectional in design and qualitative in approach. The following participation facilitators were identified: support from parents, peers and teachers; interaction with adults; therapies; material conditions; activities at home, school and in the community; diversity of toys; and cultural activities. The following barriers to participation were identified: lack of access to public transport; negative attitudes; lack of choice and less parental interaction; and lack of adequacy of activities. The Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and the concepts of participation pyramid and family of constructs were fundamental in identifying environmental barriers and facilitators in the participation of children with CP. It is suggested that future studies be conducted to assess the quality and strength of the evidence for participants under 11 years of age.

Leisure-time management and subjective well-being among older adults: A three-wave longitudinal survey.

AIM: As older adults have longer leisure time and the types and influences of leisure activities they participate in are diverse, appropriate management of their leisure time would be important to optimize their subjective well-being. Although greater use of time management in educational and occupational settings is associated with better job performance, academic achievement, and the well-being of workers and students, few studies have investigated time management in leisure settings. This study aimed to examine the longitudinal association between leisure-time management and subjective well-being among older adults. METHODS: Data on 879 individuals in Nada Ward, Kobe, Japan were obtained from a three-wave questionnaire-based longitudinal survey (Wave 1: December 2017 to January 2018; Wave 2: after one year; Wave 3: after three years). In each survey, leisure-time management (newly developed in this study) and subjective well-being (simplified Japanese version of the World Health Organization Five Well-Being Index) were measured. This study used a cross-lagged model to analyze the longitudinal association between leisure-time management and subjective well-being after considering their inverse association. RESULTS: The cross-lagged model indicated that that the standardized path coefficients from leisure-time management in Wave 1 to subjective well-being in Wave 2 (0.13, p<0.001) and from leisure-time management in Wave 2 to subjective well-being in Wave 3 (0.06, p=0.042) were positive and significant. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that leisure-time management is a determinant of subjective well-being among older adults. This finding indicates that the management of leisure time elevates one's subjective well-being among them.

Association between Physical Activity, Diet Quality and Leisure Activities of Young Poles.

The aim of this study was to determine the association between eating behaviours, sedentary behaviours and physical activity based on a self-reported survey conducted on a sample of the Polish population of adolescents aged 13-16. The field survey was conducted on a nationwide group of 6818 respondents. The object of the statistical analysis was to develop a model regarding the influence of selected socio-demographic characteristics on engaging in physical activity and selected dietary behaviours. Due to the dichotomous nature of the dependent variable, logistic regression models were used in the model. It was found that the higher the level of physical activity, the more well-balanced the diet, including higher levels of fruit consumption, water consumption and protein-containing products, as well as the relatively less frequent occurrence of sedentary behaviour as a form of leisure activity. However, there is a constant need to develop, in cooperation with scientific and research institutions and educational establishments, mechanisms for influencing a change in the behaviour of young people towards a more pro-healthy lifestyle so that the effects of these educational activities are not only reflected in an increase in the level of knowledge in this area but also contribute to real changes in dietary behaviour.

Associations between activities of daily living, leisure activities and subjective well-being in Chinese older adults.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to explore the internal pathway of the association between activities of daily living and subjective well-being among Chinese older adults using a large and representative sample. BACKGROUND: There is still a lack of systematic investigation into the association between activities of daily living and subjective well-being among Chinese older adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 10 578 participants from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. We applied multiple linear regression analysis and Spearman correlation analysis to examine the association between activities of daily living and subjective well-being and PROCESS macro to determine the mediating effect of leisure activities on the relationship between them. RESULTS: The mean total score of subjective well-being was 30.5 ± 4.4. The prevalence of basic activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living limitations was 18.0% and 60.8%, respectively. Correlation analysis showed that activities of daily living score were negatively correlated with subjective well-being. Leisure activities were positively correlated with subjective well-being. The effect of instrumental activities of daily living on subjective well-being was partially mediated by leisure activities and leisure activities completely mediated the association between basic activities of daily living and subjective well-being. CONCLUSIONS: The effect of instrumental activities of daily living on subjective well-being was partially mediated by leisure activities and leisure activities completely mediated the association between basic activities of daily living and subjective well-being.

Community-based programs for youth with mental health conditions: a scoping review and practical implications.

Background: Approximately 14% of all adolescents globally cope with mental health conditions. However, community-based psychosocial services for adolescents with mental health conditions are scarce and under-researched. Scant scholarly attention has been paid to leisure and/or social activities in community-based rehabilitation services for adolescents with mental health conditions. Objectives: To begin to fill this gap, we chose a bottom-up framework to probe the following questions: Which community-based programs for adolescents with mental health conditions exist worldwide? What common characteristics do they present? What is their range of services? Method: We systematically searched three leading academic databases, reference lists, and worldwide websites in English. Eligibility criteria: Programs with information in English that provide services in a community setting, service content that includes leisure and/or social activities, cater to users aged 10-18, and content explicitly targets adolescents with mental health conditions. Results: Twenty-seven psychosocial programs that provide leisure and/or social activities and encourage the promotion of adolescent mental health in the community were identified. We mapped and categorized the programs into three groups: integrated recovery, leisure recovery, and advocacy recovery. Conclusion: Practical implications for implementation are suggested based on the findings. Specifically, service providers should attend to the psychological needs of adolescents by prioritizing peer interaction and offering suitable social and leisure activities. These activities can also boost adolescent participation in community-based rehabilitation programs and address the treatment gap. Comprehensive studies and uniform terminology in the field are needed.

Psychological distress is affected by fear of COVID-19 via lifestyle disruption and leisure restriction among older adults in Japan: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Engaging in social activities is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle for community-dwelling older adults. Critically, as with past disasters, there is concern about the effects of long-term activity restrictions due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on health of older adults. However, the precise associations between fear of COVID-19, lifestyle satisfaction, leisure activities, and psychological distress are unclear. Objective: The purpose of this study was to comprehensively determine the associations between fear of COVID-19, lifestyle satisfaction, leisure engagement, and psychological distress among community-dwelling older adults in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and methods: A questionnaire survey administered by mail was conducted from October 1 to October 15, 2021. The questionnaire included the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, the Lifestyle Satisfaction Scale, the Leisure Activity Scale for Contemporary Older Adults, and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale-6. Based on previous studies, we developed a hypothetical model for the association between fear of COVID-19, lifestyle satisfaction, leisure engagement, and psychological distress and performed structural equation modeling to assess the relationships between these variables. Results: Participants included 301 Japanese citizens (23.6% male, 76.4% female), with a mean age of 76.7 ± 4.58 years. Goodness-of-fit from structural equation modeling was generally good. Analysis of standardized coefficients revealed a significant positive relationship between fear of COVID-19 and psychological distress (ß = 0.33, p < 0.001) and lifestyle satisfaction and leisure activities (ß = 0.35, p < 0.001). We further observed a significant negative relationship between fear of COVID-19 and lifestyle satisfaction (ß = -0.23, p < 0.001) and between leisure activities and psychological distress (ß = -0.33, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Fear of COVID-19 is significantly associated with psychological distress, both directly and via its effects on lifestyle satisfaction and leisure activities. That is, not only did fear of COVID-19 directly impact psychological distress of participants, it also affected psychological distress through lifestyle disruption and leisure restriction. This results may be used to better understand how a national emergency that substantially restricts daily life, such as COVID-19 or an earthquake disaster, can affect the psychological health and wellbeing of older, community-dwelling adults.

Effects of leisure activities and general health on the survival of older people: a cohort study in China.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the influence of physical and cognitive leisure activities on the survival of older adults in China, while also exploring the potential mediating and moderating effects of general health. Methods: This study utilized the China Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) datasets spanning from 2008 to 2018, and 10,347 eligible participants were included. The primary study outcome was all-cause mortality, and independent variables included physical leisure activities (PLA), cognitive leisure activities (CLA), and self-rated general health. Three sets of covariates were adjusted, including socio-demographic characteristics, health behaviors, and health status. Results: The longest survival time was the older people participating in PLA & CLA (mean = 50.31 months), while those participating in neither exhibited the lowest (mean = 29.60 months). Significant differences in survival status were observed in different types of leisure activities participation (Log-rank test, Chi-square = 576.80, p < 0.001). Cox regression indicated that PLA (HR = 0.705, 95% CI: 0.651-0.764), CLA (HR = 0.872, 95% CI: 0.816-0.933), and the both PLA & CLA (HR = 0.700, 95% CI: 0.656-0.747) were protective factors for the survival. Additionally, general health significantly moderated the relationship between PLA and reduced mortality risk (Coefficient = -0.089, p = 0.042). While CLA indirectly influenced the survival through general health (Coefficient = -0.023, p < 0.001). For the older people participating in PLA and CLA, general health played mediating (Coefficient = -0.031, p < 0.001) and moderating (Coefficient = -0.026, p = 0.013) role in the relationship between leisure activities and survival. Conclusion: Leisure activities and self-rated general health were important predictors of survival of the older adults, and general health exhibited a mediator and moderator in the relationship between leisure activities and survival status.

Participation and Experiences in Extracurricular Activities for Autistic and Neurotypical Children.

Participation in Organised Extracurricular Social Activities (OESA) can provide positive outcomes for children. This study investigated whether children aged 4 to 12 years diagnosed with autism differ in their OESA participation and experience compared to neurotypical peers. Parents of autistic children (n = 35) and those of neurotypical peers (n = 171) responded to questions that asked them to reflect on their child's participation and experiences in OESAs. Parents of autistic children reported significantly less OESA participation compared to parents of neurotypical children. Additionally, when evaluating factors that facilitated OESA participation, parents of autistic children rated their child's individual abilities and behaviour, the OESA's features, and the social environment less positively, compared to parents of neurotypical children. OESA participation and experiences differ for autistic and neurotypical children. This study identifies factors that can be adjusted to mitigate this difference.