A Novel Time Use Approach on Daily Active Engagement with Life: The Intersectionality of Race and Gender

Background and Objectives Active engagement with life (AE) is an integral aspect of successful aging. Using time diary data, this study explored how U.S. older adults structure their daily lives involving social participation and productive engagement, and the extent to which these patterns differ by race and gender. Research Design and Methods We used American Time Use Survey (ATUS) data (n = 17,990) and sequence and cluster analyses to identify distinctive daily AE patterns. Multivariable linear regression models were used to evaluate associations between AE patterns and self-rated health, and the moderating roles of race and gender. Results Five AE clusters were identified: Low Degree of AE (26%), Moderate Unpaid Work & Light Social Participation (39%), Persistent Unpaid Work (20%), Persistent Paid Work (10%), and Persistent Social Participation (4%). White women were the most likely and Black men the least likely to have any AE. Compared to “Low Degree of AE”, all other AE clusters were associated with better self-rated health, with these associations varying by gender and race. The strongest positive association was observed for “Persistent Paid Work”, especially among women. Racial differences in the association between AE and health were more prominent among women than men. Differences by AE were less pronounced among Black women in comparison to White women. Discussion and Implications We found that the association between AE and self-rated health varies by race and gender. Persistent structural barriers may prevent older adults from historically minoritized backgrounds, particularly Black women, from benefiting from AE.