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Exploring the Relationship of Leisure Travel with Loneliness, Depression, and Cognitive Function in Older Adults

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  • Shu Cole

    (Department of Health and Wellness Design, Indiana University School of Public Health—Bloomington, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA)

  • Chenggang Hua

    (Department of Health and Wellness Design, Indiana University School of Public Health—Bloomington, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA)

  • Siyun Peng

    (Department of Sociology, Indiana University—Bloomington, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA)

  • Weixuan Wang

    (Department of Health and Wellness Design, Indiana University School of Public Health—Bloomington, Bloomington, IN 47405, USA)

Abstract

Loneliness, depression, and cognitive decline are pressing concerns among older adults. This study examines the association between leisure travel participation and these health outcomes in older adults, aiming to provide further evidence of the benefits of leisure travel. Using nationally representative historical data from the 2006 household survey of the Health and Retirement Study, this study conducted a series of regression analyses to investigate the relationship between traveling and the three health outcomes, adjusting for age, sex, race, marital status, education, total wealth, annual income, and difficulty with daily activities. The results reveal that travel patterns in terms of distance are significantly associated with loneliness, depression, and cognitive function. Long-distance travel is positively related to higher cognitive function and a reduction in depressive symptoms, along with lower levels of loneliness, reinforcing the notion that leisure travel can potentially act as a catalyst for improved cognitive and mental health by offering opportunities for enhancing social connections and forming new relationships. The findings on the relationships between participation in leisure travel and mental and cognitive health contribute to the body of evidence supporting the therapeutic value of leisure travel in promoting healthy aging and enhancing the overall well-being in older adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Shu Cole & Chenggang Hua & Siyun Peng & Weixuan Wang, 2024. "Exploring the Relationship of Leisure Travel with Loneliness, Depression, and Cognitive Function in Older Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(4), pages 1-13, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:4:p:498-:d:1378065
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Martin Mau & Anders Aaby & Søren Harnow Klausen & Kirsten Kaya Roessler, 2021. "Are Long-Distance Walks Therapeutic? A Systematic Scoping Review of the Conceptualization of Long-Distance Walking and Its Relation to Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-22, July.
    2. Zins, Andreas H. & Ponocny, Ivo, 2022. "On the importance of leisure travel for psychosocial wellbeing," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
    3. Eileen M. Crimmins & Jung Ki Kim & Kenneth M. Langa & David R. Weir, 2011. "Assessment of Cognition Using Surveys and Neuropsychological Assessment: The Health and Retirement Study and the Aging, Demographics, and Memory Study," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 66(suppl_1), pages 162-171.
    4. Ricardo Pagan, 2020. "How important are holiday trips in preventing loneliness? Evidence for people without and with self-reported moderate and severe disabilities," Current Issues in Tourism, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(11), pages 1394-1406, June.
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