Can personal and environmental factors explain participation of older adults?
OBJECTIVE
This study explores the extent to which personal and environmental factors explain participation in daily activities and social roles of older adults with chronic conditions.


METHODS
Two hundred older adults with chronic conditions completed the following assessments: Assessment of Life Habits (participation); Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (social support); Activities Specific Balance Confidence Scale (balance confidence); Timed Up and Go Test (mobility capacity); and Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (depression symptomatology).


RESULTS
Mobility and balance confidence explained 30% of the level of participation in daily activities and 24% of participation in social roles, whereas social support and depression did not contribute to the explanation of participation. When explaining participation in daily activities, sex had a significant contribution to the model.


CONCLUSIONS
Participation accomplishment is explained by personal factors related to an elder's physical and mental ability while sex differences had an important role for explaining accomplishment of daily activities. Additional aspects of participation, environmental barriers, and level of disability, are key factors identified for further inquiry.
Anaby
Dana
D
Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. anabydan@gmail.com
Miller
William C
WC
Eng
Janice J
JJ
Jarus
Tal
T
Noreau
Luc
L