title: Optimizing social participation in community-dwelling older adults through the use of behavioral coping strategies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to (1) determine the categories of behavioral coping strategies most strongly correlated with optimal seniors' social participation in different activity and role domains and (2) identify the demographic, health and environmental factors associated with the use of these coping strategies optimizing social participation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample consisted of 350 randomly recruited community-dwelling older adults (≥65 years). Coping strategies and social participation were measured, respectively, using the Inventory of Coping Strategies Used by the Elderly and Assessment of Life Habits questionnaires. Information about demographic, health and environmental factors was also collected during the interview.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Regression analyses showed a strong relationship between the use of cooking- and transportation-related coping strategies and optimal participation in the domains of nutrition and community life, respectively. Older age and living alone were associated with increased use of cooking-related strategies, while good self-rated health and not living in a seniors' residence were correlated with greater use of transportation-related strategies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study helped to identify useful behavioral coping strategies that should be incorporated in disability prevention programs designed to promote community-dwelling seniors' social participation. However, the appropriateness of these strategies depends on whether they are used in relevant contexts and tailored to specific needs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results support the relevance of including behavioral coping strategies related to cooking and transportation in disability prevention programs designed to promote community-dwelling seniors' social participation in the domains of nutrition and community life, respectively. Older age and living alone were associated with increased use of cooking-related strategies, while good self-rated health and not living in a seniors' residence were correlated with greater use of transportation-related strategies. These factors should be considered in order to optimize implementation of these useful strategies in disability prevention programs. The appropriateness of these selected strategies depends on whether they are used in relevant contexts and tailored to specific needs.
authors.affiliation: a School of Rehabilitation, Université de Sherbrooke , Sherbrooke , QC , Canada .|b Centre de Recherche sur le Vieillissement , Sherbrooke , QC , Canada .
authors.forename: Véronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Provencher
authors.affiliation: a School of Rehabilitation, Université de Sherbrooke , Sherbrooke , QC , Canada .|b Centre de Recherche sur le Vieillissement , Sherbrooke , QC , Canada .
authors.forename: Johanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Desrosiers
authors.affiliation: c School of Rehabilitation, Université de Montréal , Montréal , QC , Canada .|d Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Gériatrie de Montréal , Montréal , QC , Canada , and.
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Demers
authors.affiliation: e Centre D'Excellence sur le Vieillissement de Québec , Québec , QC , Canada.
authors.forename: Pierre-Hugues
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Carmichael
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D002170:Canada; D003256:Community Participation; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D008297:Male; D011792:Quebec; D012044:Regression Analysis; D058992:Social Participation; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Activities of daily living; adaptive behaviour; community; coping skills; older adults; participation