Social interaction and physical activity among rural older adults

Physical activity and social interaction are critical components in supporting health and well-being among older adults;therefore, there is significant merit in further exploration of the relationship between these concepts, particularly in rural settings where rates of physical activity are low. Social interaction is also associated with numerous health benefits to older adults;however, little research exists on the association between social interaction and physical activity among rural dwelling older adults. The current COVID-19 pandemic has also placed additional barriers on physical activity participation and social interaction, particularly among older adults who are considered a high-risk population where, in an effort to minimize transmission of the virus, self-isolation and physical distancing were recommended. The purpose of this dissertation was to explore what is known about social interaction and physical activity among older adults in rural communities through a scoping review of the literature, followed by a phenomenological study to better understand of the experience of social interaction and physical activity among the older adult population in a rural context during the COVID-19 pandemic. The scoping review produced 990 results, where 26 articles met the inclusion criteria. Although there were differences in the defining role and meaning of physical activity among the studies, findings indicated that physical activity and social interaction were important for many older adults in maintaining health;however, not all older adults preferred the social aspect of exercising with others. A rural environment often presented limited opportunities for participating in physical and social activities related to geographical location and other socio-economic factors. Using a social ecological model as a guide, data for the phenomenological study were collected from ten participants through individual telephone-based interviews. Findings revealed the inter-related aspects of individual and social factors that influence health promoting behaviours. For many, physical activity was socially motivated. The environment also had an impact on older adults' physical and social interaction, both positively and negatively. Participants in rural communities expressed a sense of community belonging, safety, and trust which fostered engagement;however, inhibiting factors included icy roads, lack of public transportation and limited services. COVID-19 restrictions also impacted the opportunities for many rural older adults to participate in physical activities and social events, leaving many participants feeling lonely and isolated. COVID-19 restrictions on social interaction provided some with a welcomed break from their usual daily responsibilities. Exploring social interaction and physical activity among rural dwelling older adults adds substantial value to rural-based research, targeting specific interventions that reflect the unique perceptions and experiences of rural older adults to support health and well-being throughout aging. The results of this research are useful in identifying modifiable factors to support and promote active engagement in physical and social activities;however, awareness of negative associations is needed when considering low physical activity rates and social interaction among rural older adults. As a scarcity of rural-specific studies was found in the scoping review, further research is needed to better understand the concepts in a rural environment as often physical and social interaction are experienced differently than in an urban setting. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)