Dorien Brosens

Is volunteering in later life impeded or stimulated by other activities

Purpose: Volunteering among older adults has received increasing attention from researchers, policy makers, and associations. However, there remains a lack of knowledge in how volunteering is impacted by other activities in the lives of older adults. In order to understand activity engagement in later life, insights into the extent to which activities compete with or complement each other are necessary. Methods: Data for the present research were derived from the Belgian Aging Studies (N = 23,768). The main objective is to uncover the activities that impede or stimulate actual volunteering and/or the likeliness to volunteer at an older age. Results: Structural equation models indicate a strong positive correlation between altruistic types of activities and actual volunteering. Furthermore, older adults active in personal leisure activities are more drawn to be potential volunteers. Implications: The article demonstrates that the activity level of older people is not sufficient to understand volunteering, that is, a distinction between the types of activities is essential.

Building a Research Partnership in a Prison Context: From Collaboration to Co-Construction:

This research paper describes a framework for building a collaborative research partnership in a prison context. There is an increasing awareness of the added value of partnerships for prison research, but most academics and correctional institutions are not familiar with this methodology. Besides, this paper demonstrates that participatory research in a prison has the potential to increase the response rate and realize a better research design. The establishment of a steering group of professionals provided an important participation forum. The steering group was responsible for the design, planning, implementation, coordination and evaluation of the research project. Prisoners were central figures in providing information, giving feedback, etc. during the whole research process. This article evaluates the different methodological and practical steps in building the partnership and conducting the research. Furthermore, the ethical and emotional challenges associated with prison research as well as the challenges related to participatory research are considered. Conclusively, key factors are discussed that contributed to the success of the research project.

Prisoners’ participation and involvement in prison life: Examining the possibilities and boundaries:

Prisoners’ participation and involvement in prison life are becoming important topics featuring on European political agendas. To investigate the different types of prisoner participation and involvement in one prison in Belgium, the experiences of prisoners and professionals, and the processes that enhance or limit prisoners’ participation, 11 focus groups have been conducted with prisoners (N = 36) and professionals (N = 42). A thematic analysis of this data identifies that various formal and informal participation initiatives exist, but several barriers between prisoners, prison staff and prison management impede (structural) participation. Implementing and increasing the participation and involvement of prisoners requires organizational and cultural changes. The article concludes by discussing practical issues raised by the study, as well as some limitations.

Understanding the Barriers to Prisoners’ Participation in Sport Activities

This study investigates the barriers and the predictors of these barriers that impede prisoners’ participation in sport activities. Data are derived from a project in a remand prison in Belgium (N = 486). Findings indicate that prisoners have strong preferences for other activities (e.g., work, visiting), as well as experiencing institutional barriers to sport activity. Findings show that age and time served, in particular, have an influence on the experience of the different types of barriers. Based on the research findings, the article concludes by discussing paths for further research and implications for policy and practice.

Factors related to the Quality of Life of older prisoners

PurposesThere is evidence of an increasing emphasis on the relevance of the quality of life-paradigm as an outcome measure for clients in geriatric, forensic, as well as correctional care. This paper aims to explore to what extent variables that were categorized according to the main areas of the Good Lives Model (‘the self’, ‘the body’ and ‘social life’) are related to the quality of life domains of older imprisoned offenders.MethodsData were collected by means of a structured questionnaire administered in individual interviews with 93 older prisoners aged 60 years and over in 16 prisons of the Dutch-speaking region in Belgium. Characteristics of the main GLM-areas were identified by specifically designed items as well three validated instruments (psychiatric disorders, loneliness, and frailty). Dependent variables consisted of the four sub-domains of the WHOQOL-BREF instrument which measures quality of life in four domains, namely: (1) physical health, (2) psychological health, (3) social relationships, and (4) environment. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used for statistical analysis.ResultsIndividual variables, such as satisfaction with activities, were related to the older prisoners’ QoL in several domains simultaneously. Other than suicidal ideation, psychopathological symptoms had no significant relation to quality of life.ConclusionsApproaches enabling older prisoner to disclose their interests, experiences, and feelings are important in prison. Special attention should be given to psychiatric and age-related symptoms of older prisoners, since they may not be noted by the prison staff, as older prisoners seem to be poorer self-advocates as compared to their younger peers.

Leren voor en door ouderen: succes verzekerd!

SamenvattingWil leren voor ouderen succesvol zijn dan zal de leeromgeving aan een aantal voorwaarden moeten voldoen. De consortia van de Europese projecten SMARTE (Strenghts for Mastering Ageing by Realising Tools in Europe) en GUTS (Generations Using Training for Social inclusion in 2020) hebben een leermodel ontwikkeld dat handvatten biedt om het leren voor en door ouderen in de praktijk te brengen. In het project GUTS zijn 10 leeromgevingen in 5 landen ontwikkeld waar ouderen en jongeren samen aan de slag gaan. Vraag is hoe zo’n leeromgeving eruit zou kunnen zien.

Participatie van oudere gedetineerden aan hulpen dienstverlening

SamenvattingDe vergrijzing zet zich niet enkel door in de ‘vrije’ samenleving, ook gevangenissen worden geconfronteerd met een groeiende groep ouderen. In Vlaanderen heeft elke gedetineerde recht op maatschappelijke hulp- en dienstverlening, waaronder onderwijscursussen, sportactiviteiten en socio-culturele vormingsactiviteiten. Er zijn echter slechts weinig gegevens over de participatie van ouderen aan deze activiteiten. Dit artikel zoemt daarom in op verschillende leeftijdsgroepen en de mate van participatie aan hulp- en dienstverleningsactiviteiten.