Quality of Life and Leisure Participation amongst Malay Older People in the Institution

Leisure activities can influence health through complex and interconnected biopsychosocial mechanism by becoming as a medium to balance the rhythm of life. This study aims to identify the benefits of participation in leisure activities and to understand how the benefits affect the quality of life amongst Malay older people in institutions. In-depth interview was conducted with twenty-one Malay older people who live in government-funded elderly institutions. The interview transcripts were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. One superordinate theme and three subthemes emerged indicates that the participation in meaningful, valued and individualized leisure activities leads to an internal and external benefits.