Productive engagement patterns and their association with depressive symptomatology, loneliness, and cognitive function among older adults

Abstract

Objectives

Little is known about composite patterns of productive engagement among older people. Related, the implication of these patterns for well-being remains unclear. The present study addresses these gaps.

Methods

The analytical sample comprised 2037 community-dwelling Singaporeans aged 60 years and above. We included nine productive activities and employed latent class analysis to identify prevalent patterns of productive engagement. Regression analysis was then conducted to investigate the association of these patterns with depressive symptomatology, loneliness, and cognitive function.

Results

Four productive engagement patterns (Low Activity, Family Support, Moderate Working-Volunteering, and Working-Family Support) were identified. Compared with Low Activity, Moderate Working-Volunteering, and Working-Family Support related to lower levels of depressive symptomatology and loneliness, respectively, and both patterns were associated with better cognitive function.

Conclusion

Productive engagement patterns are differentially linked with depressive symptomatology, loneliness, and cognitive function. We interpret these findings with reference to the role perspective. We also discuss their policy implications.

Keywords:

• Productive aging
• well-being
• latent class analysis
• older adults
• Singapore

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest. The complete THE SIGNS Study dataset is not publicly available. The data used this study is available upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

Transitions in Health, Employment, Social engagement and Inter-Generational transfers in Singapore (THE SIGNS) Study, wave 1, was supported by Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) under the agreement number MOH-NUS RL2015-053.