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Benefits for Older People Engaged in Environmental Volunteering and Socializing Activities in City Parks: Preliminary Results of a Program in Italy

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  • Cristina Gagliardi

    (Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Ageing, IRCCS INRCA—National Institute of Health & Science on Ageing, 60124 Ancona, Italy)

  • Karl Pillemer

    (Department of Human Development, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA)

  • Elena Gambella

    (Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Ageing, IRCCS INRCA—National Institute of Health & Science on Ageing, 60124 Ancona, Italy)

  • Flavia Piccinini

    (Centre for Socio-Economic Research on Ageing, IRCCS INRCA—National Institute of Health & Science on Ageing, 60124 Ancona, Italy)

  • Paolo Fabbietti

    (Laboratory of Geriatric Pharmacoepidemiology, IRCCS INRCA—National Institute of Health & Science on Ageing, 60124 Ancona, Italy)

Abstract

The objective of this pilot study was to investigate the feasibility of an environmental volunteering program involving park restoration and social activities for older people. Older people face a series of challenges, ranging from social isolation and depression to a lack of exercise, as well as the difficult task of creating new meaning to deal with a decrease in vitality and new social relationships, interests, and commitments. From this perspective, this pilot study aimed to contribute to highlighting if or how these aspects can be positively correlated with organized activities associated with caring for public green spaces. A single-group, pre-test/post-test design was used, and baseline and post-participation measurements were recorded. The data were collected using a questionnaire aimed at evaluating variations in physical activity, positive and negative emotions, life satisfaction, and perceived social support. Through focus group interviews with participants at the baseline and after one year of participating in the program, the participants’ motivations and experienced effects were explored. The sample was composed of a group of 19 healthy people who joined the program. The quantitative results showed that the participants’ level of physical activity, subjective life satisfaction, and positive feelings were significantly increased at the follow-up. Positive correlations were found between increasing moderate physical activities, walking, and The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) positive feelings. A pro-environmental attitude of the elderly emerged from the qualitative data. The results, limitations, and improvements of the study are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristina Gagliardi & Karl Pillemer & Elena Gambella & Flavia Piccinini & Paolo Fabbietti, 2020. "Benefits for Older People Engaged in Environmental Volunteering and Socializing Activities in City Parks: Preliminary Results of a Program in Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-12, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:11:p:3772-:d:363167
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Peter A. Coventry & Chris Neale & Alison Dyke & Rachel Pateman & Steve Cinderby, 2019. "The Mental Health Benefits of Purposeful Activities in Public Green Spaces in Urban and Semi-Urban Neighbourhoods: A Mixed-Methods Pilot and Proof of Concept Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-16, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Liat Ayalon & Natalie Ulitsa & Hanan AboJabel & Shelly Engdau, 2022. "Older Persons’ Perceptions concerning Climate Activism and Pro-Environmental Behaviors: Results from a Qualitative Study of Diverse Population Groups of Older Israelis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Tobias Ihle & Ellen Jahr & Dörte Martens & Holger Muehlan & Silke Schmidt, 2024. "Health Effects of Participation in Creating Urban Green Spaces—A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-26, June.
    3. Cristina Gagliardi & Giovanni Lamura, 2021. "Special Issue on “Advances in Socio-Economic Research on Ageing”," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-6, June.
    4. Mohan R. Tanniru & Nimit Agarwal & Amanda Sokan & Salim Hariri, 2021. "An Agile Digital Platform to Support Population Health—A Case Study of a Digital Platform to Support Patients with Delirium Using IoT, NLP, and AI," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-22, May.
    5. Ying Xu & Sarah Ann Wheeler & Alec Zuo, 2022. "The Effectiveness of Interventions to Increase Participation and Physical Activities in Parks: A Systematic Review of the Literature," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-20, October.
    6. Viniece Jennings & Alessandro Rigolon & Jasmine Thompson & Athena Murray & Ariel Henderson & Richard Schulterbrandt Gragg, 2024. "The Dynamic Relationship between Social Cohesion and Urban Green Space in Diverse Communities: Opportunities and Challenges to Public Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(6), pages 1-17, June.

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