Health-related factors associated with participation in creative hobbies by Australian women aged in their eighties

Abstract

Background: Population-based epidemiological studies can contribute to the spectrum of research evidence regarding the potential role of the arts in improving health and well-being among older people. To date, these studies are uncommon. The aim of the current study was to investigate health-related factors associated with participation in creative hobbies in women aged in their eighties living in Australia. Method: Descriptive and regression analyses were performed on data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health 2008 postal survey of women born 1921–1926 (n = 5470). Results: Creative hobbies were undertaken by 52.7% of the sample and positively associated with physical health (IADL), health-related quality of life (general health, social functioning) and other social and demographic indicators. Conclusion: The relationship between participation in creative hobbies and health in older women is likely to be complex and influenced by many factors including individual physical capacity and independence as well as access to art-making activities.

Keywords::

• Australia
• arts participation
• health
• women
• aged 80 years and over

Acknowledgements

The research on which this article is based was conducted as part of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, the University of Newcastle and the University of Queensland. We are grateful to the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing for funding and to the women who provided the survey data. The research formed part of the first author's doctoral studies, which were supported by an Australian Postgraduate Award from the University of Newcastle. Additional thanks to Cassie Curryer from the Research Centre for Gender, Health and Ageing who commented on earlier drafts of this article.