Interaction of Physical Activity and Personality in the Subjective Wellbeing of Older Adults in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom

Abstract

Subjective wellbeing (SWB) has been widely accepted as one of the most important elements of successful ageing. The present study explores the impact of two well-established correlates of SWB: physical activity and personality. Physical activity and each of the Big Five personality traits are consistent predictors of SWB, but there has been little research on whether certain personality traits enhance or hinder the psychological benefits of physical activity in older adults. This study examines the interactions of leisure-time physical activity and personality traits on SWB, and whether such interactions vary between older adults in Hong Kong (HK) and older adults in the United Kingdom (UK). Altogether, 349 participants (178 HK, 171 UK; 157 males, 192 female) aged 50 years or above (mean age = 61.84 ± 8.46 years old) completed an online assessment of: (1) leisure-time physical activity (Godin–Shephard Leisure-Time Physical Activity Questionnaire); (2) personality traits (Big Five Inventory); and (3) SWB (Satisfaction with Life Scale, Positive and Negative Affect Schedule). Results showed that agreeableness, conscientiousness, extraversion, neuroticism, openness to experience, and physical activity were all significantly related to SWB in the expected direction. The relationship between physical activity and SWB was moderated by extraversion and by openness to experience: higher levels of these two traits significantly enhanced the relationship. None of the interactions varied between the HK and UK samples. The expected negative relationship between neuroticism and SWB, however, was significantly stronger in the UK sample than in the HK sample. The findings of the present study indicate that personality needs to be considered when promoting and providing physical activity for older adults, although more research is needed to further explore how this can work effectively.

Sociodemographic, health-related, and social predictors of subjective well-being among Chinese oldest-old: a national community-based cohort study

“…However, the damage of smoking to physical functions, such as increased risks of lung cancer, atherosclerosis, and stroke [53], makes it not recommended. Previous researches have indicated that physical activity is a signi cant and robust predictor of SWB among older adults [10,17,54]. Our study shows that this prediction is still applicable for the oldest-old.…”

“…SWB is de ned as the cognitive and affective evaluations of one's life [9]. The cognitive aspect usually refers to one's judgments regarding life satisfaction [9,10]. The affective aspect typically refers to one's moods, emotions, and feelings [9], which is measured by the frequency and intensity of positive affect and negative affect [11].…”

“…However, most studies focused on SWB and its related factors among young-old people and seldom considered those among the oldest-old [6,10,16]. The oldest-old are the population with the most prominent characteristics of the older.…”

From Psychology of Sustainability to Sustainability of Urban Spaces: Promoting a Primary Prevention Approach for Well-Being in the Healthy City Designing. A Waterfront Case Study in Livorno

“…The waterfront of Livorno is, thus, an excellent place to do these daily activities, thanks to the multi-level routes, areas for running and cycling without interference, and areas where you can also practice a slow walk, encouraged by the presence of the piers, the panorama, and the various services arranged along the route. These activities can help to stimulate the subjective well-being (psychological and physical) of the human, especially so, in the cases of older adults [23,24].…”

“…Therefore, it is necessary to define a city as an active means to determine its use by its inhabitants. Some studies showed that a positive relationship between physical activity and subjective well-being is moderated by extraversion and by openness to experience [24], so designers can encourage physical activity by designing spaces and roads that encourage walking, cycling, and other recreational activities. All of this involves improving both an individual's health and the qualities of the environment.…”