| This research examines factors associated with levels and patterns of senior center involvement. The primary outcomes involved in the study include: participation in social activities and use of health and social services. These two outcomes are further measured in terms of four distinct dimensions including: frequency, duration, intensity, and stability. The cross-sectional research was conducted with a convenience sample of one hundred and twenty-nine seniors at five Golden Age Centers in Cleveland, Ohio.; A comprehensive senior center utilization model is used to test a model of the hypothesized paths associated with the outcome measures. The conceptual model derives theoretical support from the following areas: medical sociology (health service utilization), general sociological literature (social integration and voluntary associations), gerontological literatures (continuity theory and stress theory) and psychological literatures (Maslow's hierarchy of needs) in an effort to provide a more theoretical approach to the study of senior center participation.; Data analysis indicates that the average age of the sample is about seventy-four years old, female, widowed, white (51%), living alone, a high school graduate, with an income of less than {dollar}10,000 annually. Multivariate results indicate that predisposing, enabling, and need variables do differently predict participation in social activities and use of health and social services as well as the four dimensions associated with each of the outcome variables. Specific multivariate findings are presented for each of the dimensions. Activity frequency is predicted by greater previous organizational involvement. Being married, having greater family and friend encouragement, expressing a need for social services and social contact predict greater service frequency. Activity duration is predicted by being female, older, having less community attachment, and less education. Being female, older, and having less education predict service duration. Activity intensity is predicted by being female, greater previous organizational involvement, and greater family/friend encouragement. Service intensity is predicted by living with others. Being younger, a minority, having greater community attachment, and greater family/friend encouragement predicts activity stability while only greater community attachment predicts service stability. |
