Using Self-determination Theory to Understand Challenges to Aging, Adaptation, and Leisure among Community-dwelling Older Adults

ABSTRACT

Self-determination theory was used to help guide a study examining challenges to aging, adaptation, and leisure among community-dwelling older adults. Two focus groups (n = 21) explored perceptions; two follow-up focus groups (n = 8) solicited reactions to initial findings, resulting in revised categories and themes. Participants identified self-determination needs, age-related challenges to satisfying these needs, adaptation strategies, and using leisure engagement to meet these needs. Findings extend research by identifying: (a) challenges with ageism, (b) need to accept challenges before determining coping strategies, and (c) importance of maintaining relationships to compensate for shrinking social networks. Conversations highlighted perceptions about connections between needs and outcomes, challenges, adaptations, and leisure.

KEYWORDS:

• Aging
• focus group discussions
• leisure
• self-determination theory

Acknowledgments

The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the NIH.

The authors wish to acknowledge the cooperation of the older adults who participated in the focus groups and the contributions and support provided by the Penn State Center for Healthy Aging’s CERC Project Advisory Group.

Funding

This work was supported by the [UL Tr000127]; National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the [UL Tr000127]; National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health.