Leisure Constraints Faced by Elderly Women: Findings from a Qualitative Study Among Elderly Women in Selangor
Last reviewed: March 2026
Key Findings
- Elderly women in Selangor identified multiple interlocking barriers to leisure participation, encompassing health limitations, family caregiving responsibilities, financial constraints, and lack of transportation.
- Social and cultural expectations placed on older Malay women significantly shaped the types and frequency of leisure activities available to them.
- Respondents expressed desire for more diverse leisure options but reported feeling restricted by both internal and external constraints.
- The findings highlight the need for culturally sensitive, accessible leisure programmes designed specifically for older Malaysian women.
Background and Context
Malaysia’s elderly population has been growing steadily as improved healthcare and living standards extend life expectancy. Population ageing represents one of the most significant demographic transitions in the nation’s modern history, with projections indicating that Malaysia will achieve aged-nation status by 2030. Within this ageing population, the experience of older women warrants particular attention. Women typically live longer than men, yet their later years are frequently shaped by widowhood, reduced income, declining health, and shifting social roles that can limit their engagement in activities that promote physical and mental wellbeing.
Leisure participation is widely recognised as a critical determinant of quality of life among older adults. Engagement in recreational, social, cognitive, and productive activities has been associated with improved physical function, reduced depressive symptoms, maintained cognitive capacity, and stronger social networks. However, despite these well-documented benefits, many older adults—particularly women—face significant barriers to meaningful leisure involvement. This qualitative study, published in the Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine in 2014, explored the nature and range of these constraints among elderly women attending health clinics in Selangor.
Study Design and Methodology
The study employed a qualitative research design using in-depth interviews. A total of 20 elderly women aged 60 years and above participated, purposively selected from two health clinics located in different districts of Selangor—one representing an urban area and one a rural locality. The stratification by background characteristics ensured diversity in perspectives and experiences. Each interview lasted approximately 15 to 30 minutes and explored the women’s leisure activities, perceived barriers, and suggestions for improvement. Data were analysed using thematic analysis, with themes and sub-themes identified through iterative reading and coding of interview transcripts.
Types of Leisure Constraints Identified
The qualitative analysis revealed a rich and complex picture of the barriers constraining elderly women’s leisure participation. These constraints can be broadly organised into several interconnected categories: health and physical limitations, family responsibilities, financial barriers, transportation difficulties, lack of awareness and access, and sociocultural factors.
Health-related constraints were among the most frequently cited barriers. Many participants reported that chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, and general physical frailty limited their ability to engage in more active forms of leisure. Some women described how the unpredictability of their health conditions made it difficult to commit to regular activities, even those they had previously enjoyed.
Family caregiving responsibilities emerged as a prominent constraint, particularly for women who were primary carers for grandchildren or ailing spouses. The expectation that older women should prioritise family duties over personal leisure was deeply embedded in the cultural context of the participants. Several respondents described feeling guilty about taking time for leisure when family members needed their attention, reflecting the powerful influence of social norms on personal choices.
Financial limitations constituted another significant barrier. Many of the women were dependent on their children or spouse for financial support, and the cost of transportation, programme fees, or equipment made certain leisure activities inaccessible. This was particularly pronounced among women from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and those who had not been employed outside the home during their working years.
| Category | Specific Constraints | Examples from Participants |
|---|---|---|
| Health & Physical | Chronic illness, pain, fatigue, mobility limitations | Joint pain preventing walking; diabetes-related fatigue |
| Family Obligations | Grandchild care, spousal care, household duties | Looking after grandchildren daily; caring for ill husband |
| Financial | Limited income, dependency, programme costs | Cannot afford transport to activity centres |
| Transportation | No personal transport, limited public transit | Activity centres too far without car access |
| Sociocultural | Gender norms, religious expectations, cultural attitudes | Feeling it is inappropriate to go out without family |
| Awareness & Access | Lack of information, no nearby programmes | Unaware of community activity centres for elderly |
The Influence of Culture and Gender
A particularly noteworthy finding was the role of cultural and gender norms in shaping leisure constraints. In the Malaysian context, and especially within the Malay community, older women are often expected to adopt a more home-centred lifestyle, with an emphasis on religious devotion, family care, and domestic duties. While many participants found genuine satisfaction in religious activities and family interactions, some expressed a desire for more varied leisure experiences that went beyond these traditional roles. The tension between cultural expectations and personal aspirations represents an important area for future intervention design.
The study also highlighted that lack of companionship served as a barrier. Some women reported that they would be more likely to engage in leisure activities if they had friends or age-mates to accompany them. This finding underscores the social dimension of leisure participation and suggests that group-based programmes may be more effective than individual activities in overcoming barriers related to social isolation and lack of motivation.
Comparisons with Other Research
The findings from this study are consistent with a broader body of research on leisure constraints among older adults in developing countries. Studies from India, China, and other Southeast Asian nations have similarly identified health limitations, financial barriers, and cultural expectations as key determinants of leisure participation among elderly women. Research on social support and leisure among Malaysian elderly has demonstrated that perceived support from friends is an important predictor of leisure involvement, suggesting that interventions targeting social networks may yield meaningful benefits.
A related quantitative study among 268 elderly participants in Selangor health clinics found that leisure participation patterns were broadly similar between men and women, but that the factors influencing participation differed by gender. Women’s participation was more strongly associated with social support variables and household responsibilities, while men’s participation was more influenced by health status and financial factors. These complementary findings reinforce the importance of gender-sensitive approaches in designing leisure programmes for older adults.
Implications for Health Promotion and Policy
The study has several important implications for health promotion programmes and public policy. First, it highlights the need for leisure programmes that are designed with the specific needs and constraints of elderly women in mind. Programmes that are affordable, physically accessible, culturally appropriate, and available in both urban and rural settings are more likely to achieve meaningful participation. Second, the findings suggest that transportation is a critical enabler of leisure participation, and policies that improve affordable transport options for older adults could have substantial downstream benefits for wellbeing.
Third, the study points to the importance of raising awareness among elderly women about the health benefits of leisure participation and the availability of community programmes. Many participants were simply unaware that activity centres or programmes existed in their vicinity. Health clinics, community centres, and religious organisations could serve as effective channels for disseminating this information.
Limitations
As with all qualitative research, the findings should be interpreted within the context of the study’s limitations. The sample was drawn from health clinic attendees in Selangor, which may not be representative of elderly women in other Malaysian states or those who do not access healthcare services. The relatively small sample size of 20 participants, while appropriate for qualitative inquiry, limits the generalisability of specific findings. Additionally, the study focused on perceived constraints, which may not fully capture the objective barriers to leisure participation. Future research combining qualitative and quantitative methods, and including participants from diverse ethnic and geographic backgrounds, would strengthen the evidence base.
Conclusion
This qualitative study provides valuable insights into the multifaceted barriers that elderly women in Selangor face in engaging in leisure activities. By giving voice to the experiences and perspectives of older women, the research makes a compelling case for leisure intervention programmes that address health, financial, social, and cultural barriers simultaneously. As Malaysia’s elderly population continues to grow, ensuring that older women have meaningful opportunities for leisure participation will be essential for promoting their physical health, mental wellbeing, and overall quality of life.
Citation
Minhat HS, Rahmah MA, Shah SA, Khadijah S. Leisure constraints faced by elderly women: findings from a qualitative study among elderly women in Selangor. Malaysian Journal of Public Health Medicine. 2014;14(1):30–38.
Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 (CC BY-NC 4.0)