Older women’s perspectives on leisure commitment for coping with chronic illnesses

Commitment to leisure is recognized as an important aspect in understanding older adults' leisure behavior. Older adults' participation in Flow and Balance (FAB) is an exemplary instance of such engagement. We interviewed 11 older women who participate in FAB to explore how this experience contributed to coping with chronic illnesses. Our analysis revealed six central themes: (a) overcoming adversities; (b) investing personal effort; (c) stages of a leisure career; (d) health benefits and belongingness; (e) developing a special social world; and (f) centrality in life. Our findings emphasize the pivotal role of committed leisure in successful aging among older women.