engleski

Contract Bridge and senior citizens: from entertainment to competition

Mind sports such as chess, go and contract bridge are extremely suitable for elderly people who want to engage into a real competition, make social contacts and maintain sharp cognitive performances. Stebbins (1992) introduced a term: ‘‘serious leisure’’, to describe active leisure engagement with commitment and dedication, as opposed to passive leisure such as watching TV. Major (2001) identified three major types of benefits of serious leisure activities: sense of accomplishment, health and fitness, and social affiliation. The aim of this study was to explore motivation of senior citizens to engage in contract bridge, and to analyze self-reported benefits of the game regarding Major’s classification. We conducted eight semi-structured interviews with senior bridge players (over 65) in Zagreb bridge clubs. Participation was voluntary, while all participants signed informed consent form. Interviews were conducted in face-to-face manner, and they were all audio recorded. Sample consisted of both male and female players who played bridge regularly in clubs for over five years. All participants confirmed that bridge significantly improved quality of their lives. Bridge contributed to their well-being primarily by advancing social affiliation (communicating with people of all ages, finding new friends, getting social support, recognition and status and going out of home), but also by enchasing sense of accomplishment (learning, solving problems, competing, advancing and winning), and mental fitness (staying intellectually fit). Retired participants argued that bridge helped them in the transition period, remaining the stable and fulfilling part of their lives.

Serious Leisure ; Contract Bridge ; Senior Citizens, Well-being

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