Mélanie Levasseur1, Alan A Cohen1, Marie-France Dubois1, Mélissa Généreux1, Lucie Richard1, France-Hélène Therrien1, Hélène Payette1. 1. Mélanie Levasseur, Alan A. Cohen, Marie-France Dubois, Mélissa Généreux, and Hélène Payette are with the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec. Lucie Richard is with the Institut de Recherche en Santé Publique, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec. France-Hélène Therrien is with the University Institute of Geriatrics of Sherbrooke, Québec.
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 area-specific 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 (R(2) = 0.18). In urban areas, higher social participation was associated with greater proximity to neighborhood resources and having a driver's license (R(2) = 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 (R(2) = 0.18). CONCLUSIONS: To enhance social participation of older adults, public health interventions need to address different environmental factors according to living areas.
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 area-specific 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 (R(2) = 0.18). In urban areas, higher social participation was associated with greater proximity to neighborhood resources and having a driver's license (R(2) = 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 (R(2) = 0.18). CONCLUSIONS: To enhance social participation of older adults, public health interventions need to address different environmental factors according to living areas.
Authors: Jerzy Eisenberg-Guyot; Anne V Moudon; Philip M Hurvitz; Stephen J Mooney; Kathryn B Whitlock; Brian E Saelens Journal: J Transp Health Date: 2019-08-03
Authors: Dzifa Adjaye-Gbewonyo; George W Rebok; Alden L Gross; Joseph J Gallo; Carol R Underwood Journal: PLoS One Date: 2019-06-19 Impact factor: 3.240