Gender Differences in Meaningful Leisure Among Older Adults: Joint Displays of Four Phenomena.

Vital events, such as widowhood and retirement, are broadly accepted as points of inflection in the lives of older adults that often differ according to gender. In this study, we analyzed the influence of gender on meaningful leisure among older adults through the integration of qualitative and quantitative findings. The use of joint displays revealed that in this sample of people from Northern Spain: (1) there were no significant differences in the influence of retirement and widowhood on the leisure of the two genders, (2) the ethic of care was a constraining factor in older women's leisure, (3) women were more innovative in their leisure in older age, and (4) volunteer activities were highly segregated by gender.

When distress gives way to possibility: the relevance of leisure in adjustment to disability.

Previous research has suggested that leisure assists in coping with and adjusting to negative life events in at least four different ways: by being diverting, by generating hope, by restoring some aspects of self, and by affording a context for personal transformation. An assault to the brain, whether due to a stroke, chronic disease, injury or trauma, would be such an event and would likely by served by leisure in the same way. This paper reviews the supporting evidence regarding the value and utility of leisure in coping with and adjusting to living with a disability.

Reduction in leisure activity and well-being during the transition to widowhood.

There is relatively little evidence available about how leisure involvement changes with the death of a spouse and even less about how leisure activity is associated with the health and well-being of widows during this transition. Using data from the Americans Changing Lives (ACL) dataset, this study of 154 widows investigated change in leisure involvement during the transition to widowhood and examined the relationship between leisure activity reduction and widows' well-being. Results indicated a majority of widows reduced their involvement in leisure activity.

Reconsidering change and continuity in later life: toward an innovation theory of successful aging.

This article examines the patterns and meanings of innovation in the activities of a group of retirees with an eye toward understanding the place and value of innovation in the aging process. Starting with a consideration of continuity theory, as a perspective that simply describes typical patterns of activity, and activity theory that prescribes expansion of activities as a key to well-being, this article highlights the characteristics, meanings and perceived benefits of a wide variety of innovative activities. The study utilized in-depth semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 20 male and female retirees involved in a "Learning and Retirement" program.