Critical analysis of the article
- Details
- Hits: 8564
Critical analysis of the article
a). Is the article research or theoretical piece?
The article is a research that begins by defining the problem, then the definition of the research question, gathering information, and making observations. There is data collection, analysis, and interpretation, as well as conclusions.
b). If research-based, what is/are the primary research questions? What are the authors trying to find out?
The primary research question is what is the influence of leisure and the link between social relationships in old age?
The authors are trying to find out whether leisure activities have a link between social relationships and health. To find out the association between positive social relationships and involvement in considerable leisure activities, and to find out whether substantial participation in leisure activities could lead to better health when people grow old.
c). what are the key variables?
The key variables are independent and dependent variables, which include; social relationships, leisure activities, physical health, and psychological comfort.
d). what method of research is in use
The method of research in use is a qualitative research method where core interviews were conducted in the year 1992 and follow-up interviews through the phone every two years later. Self-administered questionnaires to collect psychosocial data on leisure activities and life satisfaction were available on 13,000 Americans.
Briefly discuss the research design
There is a four-condition test, (i) the independent variable, which is social relationships, affects mediator leisure activities. (ii) The independent variable social relationships affect dependent variables psychological well-being and physical health without mediator leisure activities. (iii). Leisure activities affect physical health and psychological well-being. (IV). Social relationships affect physical health and psychological well-being via leisure activities. When all previous conditions hold, the effect of social relationships on physical fitness and psychological well-being must be smaller in the third condition compared to the second. The Sobel test calculates the significance of the change in the fourth condition. There was an examination of the mediating effects of leisure activities in path models. There was analysis to examine the outcome of one variable on another and mediation by an intermediate variable. The final structural model had a directional path leading to social relationships in 2010, influencing the leisure activities, which in turn impact physical health and psychological welfare.
e). Description of the sample
The sample was 26,000 Americans conducted every two years beginning with 2006 psychosocial data of leisure activities and life satisfaction through self-administered questionnaires on 50% (13,000 Americans). There was an interview with 6,500 Americans in 2008, and the participants in 2006 were the same in 2010. The present study had a sample of 4,697 where there was the elimination of cases of missing data. The final sample had 2,965 older adults between 50-96 years old.
f). Discuss the findings and implications.
The findings indicate that leisure activities promote a healthy lifestyle, which is affordable and easy to access when people are old. The presence of leisure activities enhances the relationship between physical health and social relationships. Adults who engage in social relationships are encouraged to engage in behaviors that promote good health. The implication is that social networks inspire people to participate in leisure activities to maintain health. Leisure that involves physical activities improves the psychological needs of older adults, especially those who are in social relationships.
h). What suggestions can you offer for future studies? Do we need more research in this area? What changes might you make for future studies?
The suggestions for future studies are that it should do explorations on different population subgroups through the perspective of lifespan development. That is for appreciating the power of early life as well as social status. Future researchers need to examine the effect of different types of physical activities that improve the health of older adults.
We need more research in this area because the current one was for the first wave in the year 2006, where the collection of data was on life satisfaction and leisure activity. Even though the data included controls, it was cross-sectional that could not examine causal relationships.
The changes to future studies are that examination of causality as well as longitudinal changes are necessary for the current model and should be in the psychosocial data of the next wave.
i). Are there any policy implications of this research? How does this inform aging and leisure?
The policy implications of this research are that intervention programmers will avail favorable environments for the elderly to develop friendships. There should be the promotion of regular physical leisure activities such as walking to broaden the effect of physical health. Government interventions should help to define leisure activities as behavioral medicines that improve the health of older adults. The government will identify the types of leisure activities that have substantial health benefits and provide facilities to enhance participation by older adults.
How does this inform aging and leisure?
There is a greater understanding of how leisure activities are significant as people grow old to improve and maintain their health. Leisure should include both physical and nonphysical activities so that as people age, they can choose the one convenient for them at different times. Although there is a notable effect of leisure activity on psychological well-being, the physical health of older people improves a lot as they engage in leisure activities.