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Flow Experience in the Daily Lives of Older Adults: An Analysis of the Interaction between Flow, Individual Differences, Serious Leisure, Location, and Social Context

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 August 2010

Jinmoo Heo ,
Youngkhill Lee ,
Paul M. Pedersen  and
Bryan P. McCormick
Jinmoo Heo*
Affiliation:
Department of Tourism, Conventions, and Event Management, Indiana University–Indianapolis
Youngkhill Lee
Affiliation:
Department of Health, Physical Education, Recreation, Dance & Sport, Calvin College
Paul M. Pedersen
Affiliation:
Department of Kinesiology, Indiana University – Bloomington
Bryan P. McCormick
Affiliation:
Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Studies, Indiana University – Bloomington
*
*Correspondence and requests for offprints should be sent to / La correspondance et les demandes de tirés-à-part doivent être adressées à: Jinmoo Heo, Ph.D. Department of Tourism, Conventions, and Event Management Indiana University–Indianapolis 901 W. New York St. PE258G Indianapolis, IN 46202 ([email protected])
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Abstract

This study examined how serious leisure, individual differences, social context, and location contribute to older adults’ experiences of flow – an intense psychological state – in their daily lives. The Experience Sampling Method was used with 19 older adults in a Midwestern city in the United States. Experience of flow was the outcome measure, and the data were analyzed using hierarchical linear modeling. Results indicated that location and employment status influenced the subjects’ flow experience. Furthermore, the findings revealed that retirement was negatively related to experiencing flow, and there was a significant association between home and the flow experience. The results of this study enhance the understanding of flow experiences in the everyday lives of older adults.

Résumé

Cette étude a examiné comment les loisirs sérieux, les différences individuelles, le contexte social et l’emplacement contribuent aux expériences de flux – un état psychologique intense – dans la vie quotidienne des adultes plus âgés. La Méthode d’échantillonnage a été utilisée avec 19 adultes plus âgés dans une ville du Midwest des États-Unis. L’expérience de flux a été la mesure des résultats, et les données ont été analysées à l’aide de la modélisation linéaire hiérarchique. Les résultats ont indiqué que la localité et le statut de l’emploi ont influencé l’expérience de flux des sujets. En outre, les conclusions ont révélé que la retraite était négativement liée à la rencontre de flux, et qu’il y avait une association significative entre le domicile et l’expérience de flux. Les résultats de cette étude améliorent la compréhension des expériences de flux dans la vie quotidienne des adultes plus âgés.

Keywords

loisirs sérieuxfluxadultes plus âgésserious leisureflowolder adults
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 29 , Issue 3 , September 2010 , pp. 411 - 423
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 2010

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