The Relationship Among Leisure Activities, Depression and Quality of Life in Community-Dwelling Elderly Koreans

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify the relationship among leisure activities, depression, and quality of life of community-dwelling elderly in Korea. METHODS: We assessed 100 community-dwelling older adults. Leisure participation and leisure exploration were assessed by using the leisure participation for the elderly. Depression was measured using the Korean version of the Short Form of Geriatric Depression Scale, and quality of life was assessed using EQ-5D. Statistical analysis was performed using the independent-sample t test, the chi-square test, Spearman correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: EQ-5D scores of the depression group were significantly higher (p < .01). Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and EQ-5D scores showed a significant correlation with leisure participation and leisure exploration. Furthermore, leisure satisfaction was a significant factor in depressive symptoms (β = -.320, p < .01). There was a significant correlation between depression or quality of life and leisure activities corresponding to games, social activities, cultural activities, outings, and information and communication. CONCLUSION: This study showed that leisure participation and leisure exploration of the elderly were significantly related to depression and quality of life. Social, emotional, active, and productive activities were the leisure activities that positively affected depression and quality of life.