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.
Rafiei et al. (2026) studied this question.