Dwelling conditions and life satisfaction of older people through residential satisfaction

• Published in: Journal of environmental psychology 2017-04, Vol.49, p.1-7
• Main Authors: Fernández-Portero, Cristina, Alarcón, David, Barrios Padura, Ángela
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Dwelling conditions; Housing adaptation; Life satisfaction; Residential satisfaction; The elderly
• ISSN: 0272-4944; 1522-9610
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvp.2016.11.003

Dwelling conditions are a good predictor of the psychological well-being of older people who live in urban surroundings. Psychological well-being depends on the internal and external conditions of the home and on the residential satisfaction with the home itself, the building and the community. The study analyzed the relationship between life satisfaction of older people and their perceived satisfaction with their home. The sample consisted of 316 people over 50 years of age. The results indicated that residential satisfaction depends as much on the quality of the physical characteristics of the home itself, as on the resources and quality of the residential context. In addition, the evaluation of the dwelling conditions predicted the degree of home adaptation and the level of residential satisfaction of the older people. Thus, it is necessary to promote home rehabilitation initiatives to adapt them to the older population. •Psychological well-being depends on the dwelling conditions.•Residential satisfaction is related to psychological well-being.•Older people life satisfaction depends on adaptability of their home.•External and internal dwelling conditions are associated to the residential satisfaction.