Abstract

Introduction. Older adults attending daycare centers are in an environment in which different variables are interrelated and could shape their meaning of life, among other aspects. Objective: To analyze the associations between the meaning of life, physical activity, social support network, age, and gender in seven-day centers in the province of Heredia, Costa Rica. Methodology: This is a cross-sectional quantitative study. Seventy-seven older adults were recruited from seven-day centers. The variables investigated were the meaning of life, physical activity, social support network, age, and gender. Self-reports were collected and researchers clarified any doubts. Results: 46% of the participants reported a meaningless life and 36% low levels of physical activity. Significant associations were found between social support network and meaning of life (. = .91; . <.001), age and social support network (. = .30 . = .048), and social support and female gender (. = -6.08, . = .010). Conclusions: The social support network is a predictor of the meaning of life and age and gender predict the social support network, but not the physical activity reported in the variables investigated.

Keywords Quality of life; Sense of Life; Social Network; Physical Activity; Older Adult