Facilitators, barriers, and predictors of social participation among older adults in Qazvin Province, Iran: a cross-sectional study

Social participation is a crucial component of healthy aging, contributing to older adults’ mental health, life satisfaction, and overall well-being. Identifying the factors that facilitate or hinder participation can inform strategies to promote active engagement in health-promoting activities. This study aimed to examine levels of social participation, associated facilitators and barriers, and predictors of participation among older adults in Qazvin, Iran. A descriptive–analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 312 community-dwelling older adults aged 60–85 years (mean = 68.4, SD = 5.9) attending primary health-care centers. Participants were selected using a multistage random sampling method. Data were collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires, including the Participation Scale (P-Scale) and the Facilitators and Barriers Questionnaire (FBQ). Descriptive statistics summarized participant characteristics and scale scores. Group differences by gender and socioeconomic status (SES) were examined using independent-sample t-tests and one-way ANOVA. Pearson correlations and multiple linear regression were used to identify predictors of social participation. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. The mean overall P-Scale score was 41.3 (SD = 8.7), indicating moderate social participation. Engagement was highest in social interactions (M = 4.12, SD = 0.88) and family gatherings (M = 4.08, SD = 0.93), and lowest in volunteer work (M = 2.95, SD = 0.79) and civic/community activities (M = 2.84, SD = 0.81). Facilitators were highly endorsed (M = 3.72, SD = 0.64), particularly family support (82.7%), personal motivation (74.0%), and access to local facilities (68.9%). Barriers were moderate (M = 2.86, SD = 0.71), with financial difficulties (59.6%), physical limitations (53.2%), and lack of information (47.1%) being most common. Men participated more in civic/community activities, whereas women engaged more in family gatherings. Higher SES was associated with greater overall participation. Regression analysis showed that facilitators (β = 0.42) and family support (β = 0.28) positively predicted participation, while barriers (β = −0.31) and financial difficulties (β = −0.25) were negative predictors. Age, gender, and SES were also significant predictors. Social participation among older adults is shaped by a combination of personal, social, and socioeconomic factors. Strengthening facilitators—particularly family support—and reducing barriers such as financial and physical constraints may enhance engagement in social activities and promote healthy aging.