EXAMINING SOCIAL PARTICIPATION OF SINGAPORE'S RETIREES THROUGH THE HEALTH BELIEF MODEL

Abstract

In light of the ageing population in Singapore, this study views social participation as a key preventive health behaviour for age-related illnesses such as dementia. With the aim of understanding the factors that influence participation behaviour, this study explores the narratives around social participation of Singapore’s retirees and applies the Health Belief Model as a theoretical framework to analyse the data. Through 30 in-depth semi-structured interviews with Singaporean retirees, the findings were organised according to five constructs: motivating factors, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, cues to action and self-efficacy. In addition, gender differences in social participation were also investigated. Based on the results, the study discusses how the constructs influence social participation and offers practical implications to effectively encourage social participation among this population.