Factors that may influence level of activity in the oldest old

Abstract

In this study, factors that may influence behavior in activities of those 85 years or older were investigated. Level of activity was the dependent variable, physical and psychological health were qualifying variables, ethnicity was the independent variable, and concept of role was an intervening variable. Major demographic variables were controlled for. The major research hypothesis was that ethnicity affects behavior in activities by influencing the perception of roles appropriate to age.;The theoretical orientation was that participation in traditional ethnic groups preserves active social roles in late life. Studies on the East Boston community published by the National Institute on Aging were used as normative data. Fifty Chinese and 50 Jewish females were surveyed from senior centers in New York City and administered a questionnaire, the Cornell Medical Index, and an Ethnic Identification scale. Regression analysis explained 59% of the variability in activity of the Jewish by attitudinal perceptions of age-appropriate behaviors, and 51% of the Chinese by attitudinal perceptions of age-appropriate behaviors and living arrangements.