Figure of the month

The figure of the month presents a key result of research, possibly published, by a doctoral or post-doctoral student in the field, in a journalistic format with a figure or illustration and a 300-word presentation.

FIGURE IT OUT… Older adults are more likely to sustain engagement in a health promotion programme when it supports the activities that matter to them

Figure avril 2026 EN

Patricia PELÉ and Marielle ANDRÉ, occupational therapists, investigated the factors influencing engagement in TaPasS®, a health promotion programme for adults aged 60 and over aimed at encouraging healthy lifestyle habits.

The research defines engagement as a dynamic process. Phenomenological interviews were conducted with 10 participants (aged 63–80) enrolled in the programme: five still active and five who had dropped out. Based on the interviews, Colaizzi's method was used to identify the key stages of the process, and the factors associated with engagement at each stage.

Six stages were identified: Discovery of the programme; Presentation meeting; Registration; First individual session with the occupational therapist; First group module; Continuation. Seventeen factors influenced engagement throughout the stages: those related to the individuals, those related to the programme, and the conditions and constraints of participation.

From Discovery through Registration, the stages are linked to fourteen factors which are programme-related (proximity, presence of occupational therapists, free programme, etc.), individual-related (curiosity, knowledge of healthy ageing factors, etc.) or participation-related (programme's fit with normal routines, making own choices). Fit with normal routines remains relevant until the Group module. At that stage, the group dynamics appears decisive. For sustained participation, self-motivated moral obligation and social skills come to the fore. One factor is present at every stage: the search for practical solutions to occupational problems (i.e. to carry out occupations that matter), particularly restricted social participation related to feelings of loneliness.

The engagement is shaped by multiple factors, which fluctuate throughout the stages. The programme leader's facilitator role and the personalisation of the content appear decisive for long-term participation.

Patricia PELÉ et Marielle ANDRÉ

Statut : Patricia Pelé (MSc) Educational Advisor; Marielle André (PhD) Postdoctoral Researcher
Affiliation : Institut de Formation en Pédicure-Podologie, Ergothérapie et Kinésithérapie (IFPEK) ; Living Lab Vieillissements et Vulnérabilités (LL2V) du CHU de Rennes

Informations du programme TaPasS® : 

  • Morel-Bracq, M.-C., Soum-Pouyalet, F., Decrock, J., Saragoni, A., Sorita, É., Le Charpentier, G. et Biard, N. (2023). TaPasS, une approche ergothérapique du bien-vieillir. ANFE. ISBN : 978-2-9563109-3-8.
     

 

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