The relationship of age, gender, health and economic status to the psychological benefits older persons report from participation in leisure activities

Abstract

Abstract The psychological benefits derived from participation in 18 commonly chosen leisure activities by 1,449 persons in the 55‐to‐75 age range were measured using the Paragraphs About Leisure—Form E (PAL‐E). The data were related to the morale, physical health, economic status, age, and gender of the respondents using canonical analysis. Three canonical variates were obtained which reflected the psychological benefits of companionship, recognition, and power. The characteristics of older persons seeking each of these benefits were discussed.