With strength and breath, I laugh at death: a cross-sectional survey on involvement in recreational sport, resocialization, and well-dying perception among older adults

As the world's population continues to age, it becomes increasingly important to help older adults make sense of what it means to die well. On the basis of the theory of successful aging, this study investigated the mechanisms that influence recreational sport involvement, resocialization, and well-dying perception among older adults. In addition, the mediating effect of peer relationships on well-dying perception was investigated. The results suggest that involvement in recreational sport can indirectly influence well-dying perception through resocialization, and peer relationships have a positive moderated mediating effect on the pathways of involvement in recreational activity, resocialization, and well-dying perception. These findings indicate that recreational sports play a significant role in promoting successful aging. They also provide theoretical support and practical insights for developing intervention strategies that advance successful aging and end-of-life education. Furthermore, this study highlights the positive influence of resocialization and peer relationships on older adults' perceptions of a good death, offering new perspectives on the mechanisms underlying the formation of end-of-life awareness among the elderly.