Factors associated with community commitment among older adults: a stratified analysis of community group leaders and members

BACKGROUND: Community commitment through group activities in the community is associated with improved health outcomes in older adults and has a ripple effect on community development. However, factors associated with community commitment through group activities in the community have not been examined. The purpose of this study was to examine individual factors and group-related factors in association with community commitment among older adult leaders and members of community groups in Japan. METHODS: We mailed self-administered questionnaires to all older adults participating in a community group (N = 1,898) in a ward of Yokohama city, the largest designated city in Japan. Variables included demographic characteristics, community commitment (Community Commitment Scale), individual factors, and group-related factors. We used logistic regression analysis to assess the association among study variables. RESULTS: A total of 1,154 people completed the questionnaire. The valid response rate was 48.8%. Respondents’ mean age was 78.3 years (standard deviation [SD] = 6.1, range 65–100 years), 79.6% were women, 55.9% were married, and 10.0% were employed. Factors associated with community commitment among group leaders were scores for self-efficacy in the health promotion scale (SF-15; mean ± SD: 48.5 ± 7.1), 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index (mean ± SD: 17.9 ± 4.3), and Lubben Social Network Scale, Japanese version (mean ± SD: 19.5 ± 6.9), as well as a perception of deriving pleasure from group participation (mean ± SD: 91.2 ± 9.4). Factors associated with community commitment among group members were economic status (Sufficient; n [%]: 749 [85.9]), frequency of going out (mean ± SD: 5.1 ± 1.8), years of group participation (mean ± SD: 6.2 ± 5.0), and perceptions of their role in the group (Yes; n [%]: 254 [30.4]) as well as the above factors for leaders. A supplementary qualitative analysis of participants’ free-text responses extracted seven categories: community support, resource mobilization, partnership action, asset management, participatory decision-making, linkages and networking, and community dissemination, related to perception of a role in the group. CONCLUSION: Our results emphasize the importance of considering the different associations of community commitment through group activities in the community between group leaders and members, including the role of older adults in community groups, and suggest different approaches for group leaders and members.