Browsing by Author "Zimmer, Chantelle"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    An environmental scan of methods for assessing age-friendliness in post-secondary institutions
    (Taylor & Francis, 2022-11-07) Zimmer, Chantelle; Goerzen, Maya; Hogan, David B.; Toohey, Ann M.
    The University of Calgary joined the Age-Friendly University (AFU) Global Network in 2018. As part of our university’s AFU action plan, a baseline assessment of the institution’s age-friendliness will be conducted to identify areas of strength and growth. To inform our approach and that of other institutions undertaking this work, an environmental scan was performed to determine methods used by post-secondary institutions to date to assess age-friendliness. Both academic and grey literature published between 2012 and 2022 in the English language was searched using diverse keywords. The academic literature was identified from four databases (Abstracts in Social Gerontology, Academic Search Complete, Education Research Complete, Scopus) and the grey literature from 84 institutional websites of AFU Global Network members. Twelve academic sources and four grey sources were included in the analysis. Seven methods were used to assess age-friendliness, with the most common approaches being surveys, inventories, focus groups, interviews, and photovoice. The Age-Friendly Inventory and Campus Climate Survey (Silverstein et al., 2022) was selected to evaluate the University of Calgary’s age-friendliness due to its alignment with all 10 AFU principles, comprehensiveness, and involvement of multiple stakeholders. Other post-secondary institutions should consider their context and resources when selecting an assessment method.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Experiences With Social Participation in Group Physical Activity Programs for Older Adults
    (Human Kinetics, Inc., 2021-06-24) Zimmer, Chantelle; McDonough, Meghan H.; Hewson, Jennifer; Toohey, Ann; Din, Cari; Crocker, Peter R.E.; Bennett, Erica V.
    Little is known about how social participation can be facilitated among older adults in group physical activity and its psychosocial benefits that contribute to successful aging. This study aimed to understand older adults’ experiences with social participation in group physical activity programs. Using interpretive description methodology, 16 observations, eight focus groups, and two interviews with participants unable to attend focus groups were conducted with adults 55 years and older attending programs across four recreation facilities. Group programs were found to influence social participation through (a) a meaningful context for connecting and (b) instructors’ expectations of social interaction. Social participation in these programs addressed psychosocial needs by (c) increasing social contact and interaction, (d) fostering social relationships and belonging, and (e) promoting regular engagement. Training for instructors should include balancing the physical aspects of program delivery with the social, while also considering older adults’ diverse needs and preferences for social interaction.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Instructor Social Support in the Group Physical Activity Context: Older Participants’ Perspectives
    (Human Kinetics, 2023-03-22) Morrison, Lindsay; McDonough, Meghan H.; Zimmer, Chantelle; Din, Cari; Hewson, Jennifer; Toohey, Ann; Crocker, Peter R. E.; Bennett, Erica V.
    Instructors in organized physical activity classes can be a source of social support through their relationships with participants, influence on participants’ interactions with each other, and design of activities. Grounded in interpretive description, the objective of this study was to examine older adults’ experiences of and their perspectives on group physical activity instructors’ supportive behaviors. Observations of 16 group physical activity classes (N = 295) and focus groups or interviews with N = 38 class participants aged ≥ 55 (n = 29 women) were conducted at four municipal recreation facilities in a Canadian city. Five themes shed light on how instructors provided social support: (a) supporting autonomous engagement, (b) developing caring connections, (c) fostering trust through expert instruction, (d) managing conflict directly and effectively, and (e) creating a climate where people want to go. Instructor training should consider older adults’ social support needs and help instructors embody behaviors that support continued physical activity participation, thereby contributing to healthy aging.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Prospective Associations Between Older Adults' Social Connections and Trajectories of Change in Physical Activity and Psychological Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic
    (2024-09-19) Lavallée, Niana; McDonough, Meghan H.; Kenny, Sarah J.; Zimmer, Chantelle; Culos-Reed, Nicole; Campbell, Tavis
    Social connections show promising evidence for increasing physical activity participation and improving psychological well-being among older adults. However, there is limited longitudinal examinations of associations between different social connection constructs and changes in physical activity and psychological well-being, particularly across periods of rapid change. The purpose of this thesis was to prospectively examine associations between baseline values of social connections and trajectories of change in physical activity and psychological well-being among adults 55 years of age and older. Data was collected over a 6-month period during the COVID-19 pandemic. A single dataset was used for both studies in this thesis. The first study examined associations between seven social connection constructs and trajectories of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and light-intensity physical activity during a period in the COVID-19 pandemic when access to community-based programs was restricted and then restored to follow public health requirements. Six monthly surveys were administered between October 2021 and May 2022 (N = 890). Hypotheses were tested using latent growth curve modelling. Injunctive and descriptive norms did not significantly change over time. Social network and relatedness had a negative linear change whereas social support amount and quality had a positive linear change. Social participation and light-intensity physical activity changed quadratically, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity demonstrated linear and quadratic change over time. Social network negatively predicted the positive quadratic curve of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and descriptive norms positively predicted the quadratic curve of light-intensity physical activity. The second study investigated associations between seven social connection constructs and trajectories of change in stress, negative affect, and positive affect among an older adult sample. Latent growth curve modelling indicated stress and negative affect declined linearly, while positive affect followed a positive quadratic change. Descriptive norms negatively predicted the change in stress, whereas social participation positively predicted the change in negative affect and negatively predicted the change in positive affect. Together findings from these studies provide insights into the nature of these relationships and suggests levels of social connections may make older adults resilient to factors that change their physical activity and psychological well-being.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Social support among older adults in group physical activity programs
    (Taylor and Francis, 2022-01) Zimmer, Chantelle; McDonough, Meghan H.; Hewson, Jennifer; Toohey, Ann M.; Din, Cari; Crocker, Peter R. E.; Bennett, Erica V.
    Group physical activity programs provide opportunities for older adults to receive social support, which is known to be positively associated with physical activity behavior in this population, but further research is needed to understand how this happens. The purpose of this study was to determine the social support needs and challenges experienced by older adults participating in group physical activity programs and identify social support functions and behaviors that enabled their engagement. Using interpretive description methodology, 16 field observations of classes, eight focus group discussions, and interviews with two participants who were unable to attend focus groups were conducted with adults aged 55 and older attending programs across four recreation facilities. Analysis of the data suggested that (a) there is a need for fostering social relationships in programs, which are imperative for receiving social support. Older adults in the programs supported other participants by (b) initiating their engagement in (more) physical activity, (c) helping them sustain their engagement in physical activity, (d) assisting them with recognizing successful engagement in physical activity, and (e) providing comfort and reassurance during difficult times. Social support behaviors that target older adults’ emotional and tangible needs may be most important for promoting and sustaining physical activity. Support provided by other older adults enhanced participants’ motivation and abilities to overcome obstacles, as well as enabled them to pursue opportunities for growth in their unique physical activity journeys.
  • Thumbnail Image
    ItemOpen Access
    Social Support and Physical Activity in Older Adults: Identifying Predictors Using Data From the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging
    (Human Kinetics, Inc., 2021-08-04) Zimmer, Chantelle; McDonough, Meghan H.
    This study examined which of nine forms of social support were the strongest predictors of physical activity in older adults, and to what degree these associations were moderated by eight demographic indicators of groups at increased risk of social isolation. Baseline data from 21,491 adults aged 65 and older who were participants of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging were analyzed using multiple regression. Greater social network size, social contact with network members, and participation in community-related activities predicted greater physical activity, whereas being in a domestic partnership and perceiving more tangible support to be available were negatively associated. The strength and direction of these associations varied by sex, living arrangement, and income. Given the findings, various forms of social support should be incorporated in physical activity interventions but tailored to meet the needs of different segments of the aging population.