Psycho-social correlates of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) among older adults: a multivariate analysis

Table 1 Descriptive statistics and internal consistency of the measured variables

Variable(s)	Items	α	Mean	SD
Predictor variables^a
Ageing perception	happy as when younger	.803	3.76	1.69
	better than thought		3.99	1.57
	satisfied with ageing		4.41	1.44
Self-control	amount of control over health	.771	7.04	2.45
	control over social life		7.78	2.37
	control over financial situation		7.54	2.53
Motivational force^c	prepared to take risks during leisure and sport	–	3.39	2.76
Perceived social relationship	people I can talk to	.861	2.55	.61
	people I can turn to		2.56	.60
	people understand me		2.41	.62
	people I feel close to		2.61	.57
	feel part of group of friends		2.30	.72
Spiritual/religious engagement	believe in god	.937	5.28	1.50
	events unfold by a divine plan		4.80	1.62
	try hard to carry out beliefs		4.87	1.60
	find strength in religion		5.04	1.57
Optimism	optimistic about own future	.812	4.44	1.37
	expect the best in uncertain times		4.33	1.29
	expect more good things to happen		4.78	1.28
Perceived neighbourhood safety^c	feel safe to walk alone after dark	–	5.28	1.78
Dependent variables^b,c
Often play sport/exercise		–	3.57	2.27
Often walk for 20 mins		–	4.18	2.19

^a Ageing perception measure used a 7-point Likert-type scale, 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree); Self-control was rated on a 10-point Likert-type scale, 0 (no control at all) to 10 (very much control); Motivational force for leisure was rated on a 10-point Likert-type scale, 0 (unwilling to take any risks) to 10 (fully prepared to take risks); Measure of social tie used a 3-point Likert-type scale, 1 (hardly ever or never) to 3 (often); Spiritual/religious engagement and optimism used a 6-point Likert-type scale,1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree); Perceived neighbourhood safety was rated on a 10-point Likert-type scale, 1 (least satisfied) to 10 (most satisfied)
^b Dependent variables used a 7-point Likert-type scale, 1 (never) to 7 (once a week)
^c Due to a single questionnaire item used, no internal consistency was examined

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