Research in Community and Public Health Nursing

Original Articles

[English] Impact of Leisure Activities on Physical, Mental, and Cognitive Function Among Older Adults: Gyeong-Suk Jeon, Kyungwon Choi; Res Community Public Health Nurs. 2025;36(4):420-434. Published online December 31, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12799/rcphn.2025.01165

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Abstract PDF Supplementary Material: Purpose
This study aimed to classify types of leisure activity and examine their associations with self-rated health, depression and cognitive function among older adults in Korea.
Methods
Data were drawn from 7,804 participants in the 2020 National Survey of Older Koreans. Types of leisure activity were identified through K-means cluster analysis using respondents' first and second choices of leisure activities. Multivariable logistic regression analyses, adjusted for sociodemographic and health-related covariates were conducted to assess the primary associations between leisure types and dichotomized health outcomes.
Results
Five distinct groups were identified: religious activity-oriented, varied physical activity-oriented, walking and rest-oriented, gardening and sedentary activity-oriented, and social activity-oriented. Compared to the religious activity-oriented group, the varied physical activity-oriented (OR=0.71, 95% CI=0.59–0.85), walking and rest-oriented (OR=0.55, 95% CI=0.39–0.77), and social activity-oriented groups (OR=0.46, 95% CI=0.29–0.72) showed significantly lower odds of poor self-rated health. All four types exhibited significantly lower odds of depression; notably, the social activity-oriented (OR=0.40, 95% CI=0.28–0.57) and walking and rest-oriented (OR=0.40, 95% CI=0.28–0.57) groups showed the strongest protective effect. None of the leisure groups showed a significant link to cognitive function risk when compared with the religious activity-oriented group. Conclusions: Leisure patterns involving diverse physical activities and social engagement are strongly associated with favorable health outcomes. Health promotion strategies should prioritize accessible community-based programs that encourage diverse physical and socially engaging activities, while developing targeted interventions (e.g., combining cognitive stimulation with sedentary leisure) to reduce disparities and mitigate cognitive risk among older adults.

[English] The Mediating Effect of Depressive Symptoms on the Relationship between Activity Engagement and Cognitive Function among Older Adults: Da Eun Kim, Bokyoung Kim; Res Community Public Health Nurs. 2025;36(3):328-338. Published online September 30, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12799/rcphn.2025.01179

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Abstract PDF: Purpose
Engaging in activities in later life is beneficial for maintaining cognitive function. This study examined whether depressive symptoms mediate the relationship between activity engagement and cognitive function among older adults. Methods: A secondary data analysis was conducted using the 2022 Health and Retirement Study (HRS), including 2,741 participants aged 65 years and older. Mediation analyses were performed using SPSS PROCESS Macro Model 4 with bootstrapping. Results: A partial mediating effect of depressive symptoms was identified in the relationship between different types of activity engagement (e.g., physical, cognitive, and social activities) and cognitive function. The standardized indirect effects of depressive symptoms were β=.02 (95% boot CI=0.01 to 0.03) for physical activity, β=.01 (95% boot CI=0.01 to 0.02) for cognitive activity, and β=.02 (95% boot CI=0.01 to 0.03) for social activity. Conclusion: These findings suggest that activity engagement may enhance cognitive function by reducing depressive symptoms among older adults. The results highlight the importance of developing and strengthening community-based physical, cognitive, and social activity programs that incorporate depressive symptom management as practical strategies to prevent cognitive decline in older adults.

[English] Factors Affecting the Participation in Leisure Activities by Elderly Women Living Alone: Min Kyung Gu; J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs. 2018;29(3):257-266. Published online September 30, 2018; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12799/jkachn.2018.29.3.257

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Abstract PDF

PURPOSE
The study has been conducted to identify factors affecting the participation in leisure activities by elderly women living alone.
METHODS
Data were collected through a questionnaire survey among 150 elderly women in Seoul and Gyeong-gi Province. The measurement tools that were used include participation in leisure activities, perceived health status, Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form-Korea (GDSS-K), psychological well-being scale, and loneliness scale. The data were analyzed by using the Pearson correlation coefficients, t-test, analysis of variance ANOVA, and stepwise multiple regression with the SPSS/windows version 21.0 program.
RESULTS
The analysis shows that the affection for participation in leisure activities of the elderly women living alone who participated in the questionnaire survey is significant (F=14.6, p < .001). The value of the adjusted R2 is 0.55, which accounts for the explanatory power of 55.4%. The predictor that has been found to have the greatest influence on the participation in leisure activities by the elderly women living alone include perceived health status, followed by monthly allowance (10,000 won), psychological well-being, economic status, religion, depression, family structure, and loneliness.
CONCLUSION
The results suggest that in developing nursing interventions and practice for the participation in leisure activities by elderly women living alone, perceived health status, psychological well-being, depression, and loneliness should be considered.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Exploring the impact of community-based interventions on healthy older adults’ physical health, psychological wellbeing, and social connections: A systematic review
SHAIMAA ELHAG, MALWINA A. NIECHCIAL, LAUREN POTTER, ALAN J. GOW
Ageing Research Reviews.2025; : 102784. CrossRef
Cross‐cultural Adaptation, validity, and Reliability of the Turkish Version of Health Promoting Activities Scale
Feride YARAR, Fatih TEKİN, Emine ASLAN TELCİ, Fatih ÖZDEN
Journal of Basic and Clinical Health Sciences.2023; 7(1): 345. CrossRef

[English] Comparison of Health Management and Leisure Activities between Korean and Japanese Elderly in Urban-Rural Composite Areas: Kyung Min Park, Hyun Wook Kang; J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs. 2011;22(2):184-191. Published online June 30, 2011; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12799/jkachn.2011.22.2.184

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Abstract PDF: PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to compare health management and leisure activities of the Korean and Japanese elderly.
METHODS
This study used a cross-sectional descriptive research design. A total of 149 Korean and 140 Japanese older adults living in two urban-rural composite areas participated in this research project. Data were collected using interviews with the participants. t-test and 2 test were used to analyze the data.
RESULTS
Eighty eight point two percent of the Japanese perceived that their health status was good whereas 27.3% of the Koreans responded that their health status was poor. There were significant differences in types of leisure activities in art, intellectual, events, and volunteer activities between the two groups. A majority of the Japanese elderly replied that they spent some time and money for leisure activities; however, 20.2% and 27.2% of the Koreans reported that they did not spend time or money at all for leisure activities.
CONCLUSION
The number of the Korean elderly participating leisure activities was significantly lower than Japanese participants. Developing nursing strategies using leisure programs would improve the quality of life of older adults and the quality of nursing care.

[English] The Relationship between Leisure Activities and Smoking/Drinking of Middle School Students: Na Young Kim, Yeon Hee Choi; J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs. 2011;22(2):131-140. Published online June 30, 2011; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12799/jkachn.2011.22.2.131

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Abstract PDF: PURPOSE
This study was to identify the correlation between leisure activities and smoking/drinking of middle school students.
METHODS
Data were collected through a questionnaire survey of 298 middle school students from the 2nd to 30th of September, 2009. Collected data were analyzed statistically using frequency, 2 test, t-test, ANOVA, Duncan test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and hierarchical multiple regression analysis using the SPSS/WIN 17.0 program. The study used the Adolescent Leisure Time Activities Scale (ALTAS) developed by Yin et al. (1999) for types of leisure activities and the Leisure Satisfaction Scale (LSS) developed by Beard & Ragheb (1980).
RESULTS
First, smoking/drinking caused significant differences in 'Socialization with friends', and drinking also caused significant differences in 'Sport activities'. Second, leisure satisfaction was positively correlated with 'currently drinking' (r=.126, p<.05). Third, significant factors influencing leisure satisfaction were grades, school life satisfaction, subjective health status, average daily leisure time, participation in leisure health program, and current drinking. These variables explained 23.4% of leisure satisfaction.
CONCLUSION
School nurses should develop and run programs, which promote healthy ways for middle school students with wrong ways such as drinking to get leisure satisfaction. Also family, school and community should be cooperatively connected with one another.

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