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Promoting engagement with life in older adulthood

Project Details

Funding partner

Australian Research Council (Linkage) (LP170100461)


Timeframe

2018-2022


Publications

Ure, S. L., Gill, C., Evans, T., Windsor, T. D., Scott, J. E. T., Walker, R., Luszcz, M. A., & Mazzucchelli, T. G. (2024). Engage! a pilot study of a brief behavioural activation program to promote engagement and well-being in older adults. PLoS ONE, 19(6), e0305908. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0305908


Scott, J., Mazzucchelli, T.G., Luszcz, M. Walker, R. & Windsor, T.D. (2024). Self-compassion, stress exposure and negative emotion: A daily diary study of older adults. Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences. Aug 1;79(8) DOI: 10.1093/geronb/gbae101


Scott, J.E.T., Luszcz, M., Walker, R., Mazzucchelli, T., & Windsor, T.D. (2023). Barriers to activity engagement in older adulthood: Results of a community survey. Australasian Journal on Ageing. 42 (1), 176-184.  Published online 2022. http://doi.org/10.1111/ajag.13124


Walker, R. Belperio, I., Turner-Scott, J., Mazzucchelli, T., Luszcz, M., Evans, T. & Windsor T. (2023).  Older adults' views on characteristics of groups to support engagement. Activities, Adaptation and Aging. https://doi.org/10.1080/01924788.2023.2249722


Scott, J. E., Mazzucchelli, T. G., Luszcz, M. A., Walker, R., & Windsor, T. D. (2022). A behavioural activation intervention to increase engagement with life and wellbeing in older adults: Study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMC psychology, 10(1), 288. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-022-00988-1

Team

DCI researchers


Flinders University researchers

  • Associate Professor Tim Windsor (lead)

  • Professor Mary Luszcz


Research partners

  • Curtin University, School of Psychology - Dr Trevor Mazzucchelli

  • Oregan State University, Human Development and Family Sciences - Associate Professor Robert Stawski

  • ECH - Ms Amber Watt

  • City of Onkaparinga

  • Office for Ageing Well

Summary

The world’s population is growing older at a rapid rate. This demographic transformation means that there is a research imperative to develop a better understanding of how people can maintain health and well-being, maximise the quality of their own lives, and make positive social contributions for as long as possible. Engagement in activity, or being active, has been promoted as a crucial element of this pursuit. This is a topic of central importance to gerontology, as purposeful activity is central to ageing well but commonly declines with advancing age. 


The aims of the project are:

  1. To identify specific elements of existing programs for older adults that effectively promote engagement

  2. To determine older adults’ needs and preferences related to engagement, and the factors that promote resilience, in contrast to disengagement and isolation in the community

  3. To examine influences on day-to-day activity engagement through implementation of a tailored activity program for older adults.

This project is part of Ruth Walker’s research program in the intersections between disability and ageing.

Impact

The research findings will shed light on key factors that inhibit or enable meaningful engagement. Importantly, we aim to identify specific points of intervention where policy responses designed to promote engagement among older adults can be most fruitfully directed.

Resources

An easy-read resource for this project is not currently available.

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