Living conditions as predictor of elderly residential satisfaction. A cross-European view by poverty status

Abstract

Although there is an extensive body of literature on the use of to measure the impact of housing conditions on well-being in later life, less is known about differences and similarities between sub-populations and national contexts. By means of a cross-European analysis (EU15), this study aims to examine how objective and subjective factors of living conditions shape the perceptions of older Europeans about the adequacy of their residential environment. Two patterns of housing quality are explored: (1) international heterogeneity of the EU15 countries, and (2) intra-national heterogeneity, where we distinguish between households at risk of poverty and those not at risk in the elderly population of these countries. Data were drawn from the 2007 wave of the survey, providing a sample of more than 58,000 individuals aged 65 years and older. The housing characteristics surveyed were reduced using tetrachoric correlations in a principal component analysis. The resulting predictors, as well as control variables (including gender, age, health status and tenure), are assessed using multiple linear regression analysis to explore their association with a high or low level of residential satisfaction. Despite a generally positive assessment by older Europeans of their living space, major geographic and household income differences existed in the factors that explained residential satisfaction. Identifying factors associated with residential satisfaction in different household income groups and national contexts may facilitate the development of EU policies that attempt to make 'ageing in place' a viable and suitable option for older Europeans.

Residential Satisfaction Among Iranian Senior Citizens

“…In addition, Lovejoy, Handy [25], Bjorklund and Klingborg [26], and Parkes, Kearns [27] in their studies found that perception of safety was the most important contributing factor to residential satisfaction. The findings from the present study support the P-E fit theory, in which safety is an important determinant of residential satisfaction in general population and particularly in the elderly [14,20].…”

“…According to P-E fit theory, residential satisfaction can be influenced by accessibility, the subjective sense of usability, and the extent to which material conditions meet personal needs of residents. Furthermore, residential satisfaction can be affected by residents' sociodemographic characteristics, accessibility of services, amenities, inter-personal relationships, and health status of the residents [14].…”

Multiple Linear Regression-Structural Equation Modeling Based Development of the Integrated Model of Perceived Neighborhood Environment and Quality of Life of Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study in Nanjing, China

“…The natural environment problem is a key factor in the life satisfaction of older adults [24]. Air pollution significantly influences the mental health of the elderly [25].…”

“…Older adults with higher accessibility to facilities can obtain necessities and services more easily, and they have fewer difficulties in maintaining their lives. Therefore, accessibility to facilities can improve the living satisfaction and overall QoL of community-dwelling older adults [24].…”

How the Urban Neighborhood Environment Influences the Quality of Life of Chinese Community-Dwelling Older Adults: An Influence Model of “NE-QoL”

“…Many researchers use quantitative and qualitative methods to explore the neighborhood environmental factors which have a significant impact on older adults in several aspects like wellbeing, residential satisfaction, and physical activities. The street connectivity and social cohesion [13], security facilities, communal facilities, activities center for aged people, and convenience of shopping and medical service [14] influence capability wellbeing of community-dwelling older adults; outdoor space, care facilities, medical facilities, barrier-free facilities, community services, service accessibility [15], environmental problem [16] influence elderly life satisfaction; and environmental accessibility [17], parks [18], safety, comfort of movement [9], peer support [9,18] and proportion of residents living in extreme poverty [19] are found to affect physical activities of older adults in their daily life heavily. Furthermore, "Person-Environment Fit" (P-E Fit) was proposed by Lawton in the field of gerontology [20,21].…”