Environmental factors associated with social participation of older adults living in metropolitan, urban, and rural areas: The NuAge study

M. Levasseur, A.A. Cohen, M.-F. Dubois, M. Généreux, L. Richard, F.-H. Therrien and H. Payette

American Journal of Public Health, 2015, vol. 105, issue 8, 1718-1725

Abstract: Objectives. We compared the social participation of older adults living in metropolitan, urban, and rural areas, and identified associated environmental factors. Methods. From 2004 to 2006, we conducted a cross-sectional study using an age-, gender-, and area-stratified random sample of 1198 adults (aged 67-82 years). We collected data via interviewer-administered questionnaires and derived from Canadian censuses. Results. Social participation did not differ across living areas (P = .09), but after controlling for potential confounding variables, we identified associated areaspecific environmental variables. In metropolitan areas, higher social participation was associated with greater proximity to neighborhood resources, having a driver's license, transit use, and better quality social network (R2 = 0.18). In urban areas, higher social participation was associated with greater proximity to neighborhood resources and having a driver's license (R2 = 0.11). Finally, in rural areas, higher social participation was associated with greater accessibility to key resources, having a driver's license, children living in the neighborhood, and more years lived in the current dwelling (R2 = 0.18). Conclusions. To enhance social participation of older adults, public health interventions need to address different environmental factors according to living areas. © 2015, American Public Health Association Inc. All rights reserved.

Keywords: age; aged; car driving; cross-sectional study; demography; epidemiology; female; human; male; Quebec; rural population; social participation; social support; statistics and numerical data; urban population; very elderly, Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Automobile Driving; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Humans; Male; Quebec; Residence Characteristics; Rural Population; Social Participation; Social Support; Urban Population (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (15)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aph:ajpbhl:10.2105/ajph.2014.302415_1

DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.302415

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