Importance: Participation is a central determinant of older adults’ health and quality of life (QoL). Examining participation and QoL among older adults from different ethnic groups through an occupational justice lens is vital in occupational therapy.
Objective: To compare participation (objective and subjective) and QoL among older adults from two ethnic populations (Arab and Jewish) and to examine the relationships between sociodemographics, health-related variables, and participation with QoL in both groups.
Design: Cross-sectional quantitative and comparative.
Setting: Community-dwelling older adults in Israel.
Participants: A total of 190 adults ages 65 yr and older (90 Arabs, 100 Jews) who had not been hospitalized in the past month.
Outcomes and Measures: We used a background questionnaire, the four-item Patient Health Questionnaire for Anxiety and Depression, the Experiencing Day-to-Day Life Questionnaire, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life–Brief Version.
Results: The minority group reported lower education, poorer health, and lower participation and QoL scores compared with the majority group. Making ends meet, education, health-related variables, and participation were significantly correlated with QoL in both groups, with a higher correlation between subjective participation and QoL in the Arab group.
Conclusions and Relevance: Participation and QoL vary among older adults from different ethnic groups, with sociodemographics and health-related variables interconnected in both groups. The findings support the study hypotheses, highlighting the potential role of social factors on participation and the importance of encouraging subjective participation to enhance QoL, especially among minority groups. Further studies among diverse minority groups are recommended.
Plain-Language Summary Participation, or involvement in purposeful and meaningful daily activities, is a central determinant of older adults’ health and quality of life. This study examined differences in sociodemographics, health, participation, and quality of life among older adults from ethnic majority versus minority groups. The study emphasizes the potential impact of social aspects on participation and the importance of encouraging subjective participation to improve quality of life, especially among minority groups. Developing and tailoring occupational therapy intervention programs that address inequities through the lens of occupational justice can promote participation in meaningful activities and enhance older adults’ quality of life, especially among minority groups.
