Environmental Factors Associated With Social Participation of Older Adults Living in Metropolitan, Urban, and Rural Areas: The NuAge Study

• Published in: American journal of public health (1971) 2015-08, Vol.105 (8), p.1718-1725
• Main Authors: Levasseur, Mélanie, Cohen, Alan A, Dubois, Marie-France, Généreux, Mélissa, Richard, Lucie, Therrien, France-Hélène, Payette, Hélène
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age Factors; Aged - statistics & numerical data; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Automobile Driving - statistics & numerical data; Community; Cross-Sectional Studies; Disability; Environment; Female; Gender; Handicapped accessibility; Health services; Humans; Longitudinal studies; Male; Medicare; Neighborhoods; Occupational Health; Older people; Public health; Quality of life; Quebec - epidemiology; Research and Practice; Residence Characteristics - statistics & numerical data; Rural areas; Rural Population - statistics & numerical data; Social life & customs; Social Participation; Social Support; Socioeconomic factors; Transportation services; Urban Population - statistics & numerical data; Womens health
• ISSN: 0090-0036; 1541-0048
• DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.302415

We compared the social participation of older adults living in metropolitan, urban, and rural areas, and identified associated environmental factors. 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. 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). To enhance social participation of older adults, public health interventions need to address different environmental factors according to living areas.