The Influence of Physical Activity, Anxiety, Resilience and Engagement on the Optimism of Older Adults

Alfonso Martínez-Moreno, Ricardo José Ibáñez-Pérez, Francisco Cavas-García F and Francisco Cano-Noguera
Additional contact information
Alfonso Martínez-Moreno: Department of Physical Activity and Sports, University of Murcia, 30720 Santiago de la Ribera-San Javier, Spain
Ricardo José Ibáñez-Pérez: Department of Physical Activity and Sports, University of Murcia, 30720 Santiago de la Ribera-San Javier, Spain
Francisco Cavas-García F: Department of Physical Activity and Sports, University of Murcia, 30720 Santiago de la Ribera-San Javier, Spain
Francisco Cano-Noguera: Department of Physical Activity and Sports, University of Murcia, 30720 Santiago de la Ribera-San Javier, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 21, 1-15

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to learn how physical activity, anxiety, resilience and engagement can influence optimism in older adults. An observational, quantitative, descriptive and transversal design was used with non-probabilistic sampling. A descriptive statistical analysis of the sample, Cronbach’s alpha test of internal consistency and linear correlation using Pearson’s correlation coefficient ( r ) were performed. In addition, a t-Student test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), Kolmogorov–Smirnov test of normality and Levene test of homogeneity, as well as a multivariate linear regression model, were conducted. Participants who had not engaged in physical activity showed an increased total anxiety and significantly greater decrease in concentration compared to those who had engaged in physical activity. The Revised Life Orientation Test (LOT-R), Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) and resilience of participants who had not engaged in physical activity were significantly lower than those of the participants who had engaged in physical activity. Those with a partner showed significantly lower decreases in concentration compared to single women. Regarding UWES, the current scores and dedication of couples were significantly higher than singles, as for resilience. In addition, the levels of pessimism in participants living on the coast were significantly higher compared to those living inland; in addition, a greater number of days with less anxiety is seen in those who performed physical activity. A multivariate linear regression model, F (7, 349) = 30.6, p < 0.001, explained 38% of the variance of LOT-R; those attending a public center had a lower LOT-R than those who did not, and high values of anxiety were associated with low levels of LOT-R, while high values of resilience were associated with high values of LOT-R. The results from the study provide support for future programs for older adults, in order to be able to determine in a much more precise way the objectives of programs intended for users of this age group.

Keywords: older adults; aging; positivism; quality of life (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/21/8284/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/21/8284/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:21:p:8284-:d:442250

Access Statistics for this article

IJERPH is currently edited by Ms. Jenna Liu

More articles in IJERPH from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().