Transcript Ageing
The benefits of outdoor
activities for older
people’s wellbeing.
Jemma Hawkins
University of Wales Institute Cardiff
[email protected]
www.uwic.ac.uk/ageingwell
Background
Ageing Well Project – model behind the research
Adversity / Deprivation / Disadvantage
Outdoor
Physical
Activity
Psychological Stress
Biological Stress
Acceleration of cellular ageing
Increased deterioration
And risk of age-related disease
Diet &
Nutrition
Background – Stress Process
The impact of stress on health
◦ Physical Health
◦ Mental Health
The Stress Process (Cohen & Wills, 1983)
Stress, Wellbeing and Ageing
Background – 1st phase
Cross-Sectional Validation Study
Variables and Measures
Perceived Stress (PSS-10)
Social Support (SPS)
Self-esteem (Rosenberg)
Physical Activity level (IPAQ-SF)
Self-reported health (SF-36)
Demographic measures
◦ Age, sex, social economic status
Sample (N=93)
Members of different activity groups
Aged 50 years or above
Don’t take regularly take part in the other activities
Sample Table
Hypothesis: Members of outdoor physical activity groups
would exhibit lower stress levels than members of indoor
activity groups
Outdoors
Contact with
nature
Indoor Exercise
Groups
Walking
Groups
Allotment
Keepers
Home
Gardeners
?
Social Support
Validation of Measurements
Reliability (Cronbach’s alpha, α )
Scale
Previous
This Study
Perceived Stress Scale
SF-36 (perceived health) Scale
.85
.84
.89
.84
Validity
PSS correlates with SF-36 wellbeing scale, r =-.64, p=.01
Comparison Data
OPWM
AWP
SF-36 Physical Score - males
43.8
47.8
SF-36 Physical Score – females
SF-36 Mental Score - males
41.9
51
50.02
53.6
SF-36 Mental Score - females
49.4
52.18
Results
Mean Perceived Stress Score by group (F = 1.595, p < 0.05)
Results
Mean SF-36 Physical Component Score by group (n.s)
Results
No significant effect of sex (F=2.963, p>.05) and no significant
interaction between group and sex.
Results
No significant effect of level of deprivation (F=.630, p>.05)
and no significant interaction between group and level of
deprivation
Discussions
No significant difference in levels of social support, selfesteem or physical activity, so were these not involved
in the difference in stress levels?
Difference also not due to heterogeneity in proportions
of males and females or levels of deprivation
Possible factors involved:
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
Contact with nature
Productivity
Creativity
Nurturance
Coping
Preliminary Interview Data
Exercise
Social Support
Satisfaction / Rewarding
Been outdoors / in nature
Seeing things grow
The Future
Subsequent phases of the Ageing Well Project
◦ General Population large cohort study on lifestyles
(all ages, all lifestyles)
◦ Bee Keeper samples
(consumption of honey and outdoor activity)
Prospective follow-up study of outdoor activities
Take Home Message:
Gardening may be key for growing a
healthy older population!
THANK YOU
References:
[1] Aldridge, J. & Sempick, J. (2002) Social and Therapeutic Horticulture: Evidence
and Messages from Research. Reading: Thrive, Loughborough: CCFR.
[2] Pretty et al. (2005) The mental and physical health outcomes of green
exercise. International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 15, 319-337.
[3] Sugiyama, T. & Thompson, C. W. (2007) Outdoor environments, activity and
the well-being of older people: conceptualising environmental support.
Environment and Planning A, 39, 1943-1960.
[4] Van Den Berg, A.E. & Custers, M.H.G. (2010) Gardening promotes
neuroendocrine and affective restoration from stress. Journal of Health
Psychology, doi: 10.1177/1359105310365577
[5] Berman, M. G.; Jonides, J.; Kaplan, S. (2008) The cognitive benefits of
interacting with nature. Psychological Science., 19 (12), 1207–12.
[6] Barton, J., & Pretty, J. (2010). What is the Best Dose of Nature and Green
Exercise for Improving Mental Health? A Multi-Study Analysis. Environmental
Science & Technology, 44(10), 3947-3955.
[7] Cohen, S. & Wills, T. A. (1985) Stress, Social Support, and the Buffering
Hypothesis. Psychological Bulletin, 98, 310-357.