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Leisure Time Satisfaction and Activity Preferences Among Ethnically Diverse Aging Parents in Metro Vancouver

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Abstract

It is well established that family and work-retirement transitions are increasingly becoming more complicated, extended, and reversible among aging parents. Combined with improved life expectancy, older parents are now confronted with new opportunities and challenges including their access to leisure activities. However, a paucity of research exists with regard to the extent to which older-aged parents are satisfied with their amount of leisure time as well as their ideal leisure preferences. Drawing upon socio-cultural life course theory, this paper examines how socio-demographic and ethnocultural variables (i.e., gender, ethnic identity), family-related factors (e.g., presence of children in the household), and socio-economic and work contexts (i.e., income satisfaction and retirement status) shape leisure time satisfaction and activity preferences. Data are drawn from the “Families and Retirement Project,” a sample of 588 diverse (British-, Chinese-, Iranian/Persian-, South-Asian Canadians) aged 50 + (mean age = 59.6) residing in Metro Vancouver with at least one young adult child aged 19–35. Quantitative analyses reveal that leisure time satisfaction is higher among: those reporting lower levels of parental stress, the fully retired, those with less education, and among Chinese parents (compared to British). Moreover, strong variations by ethnic background are shown in preferred leisure activity, based on a thematic analysis of data. Results are discussed in terms of contributions to a socio-cultural family life course activity theory. Implications for community service provision (e.g., culturally sensitive and relevant recreational programs and services) are also highlighted, given the salience of participation in enjoyable leisure activities to healthy aging.

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Acknowledgements

This study was funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (no. 435-2014-0197).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology and Anthropology & Department of Gerontology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Ave., Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada

    Barbara A. Mitchell

  2. Department of Gerontology, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Andrew V. Wister & Ian A. Fyffe

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  1. Barbara A. Mitchell
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Correspondence to Barbara A. Mitchell.

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Mitchell, B.A., Wister, A.V. & Fyffe, I.A. Leisure Time Satisfaction and Activity Preferences Among Ethnically Diverse Aging Parents in Metro Vancouver. J Cross Cult Gerontol 36, 387–406 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10823-021-09440-0

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