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“When I Retire, I’ll Move Out of the City”: Mental Well-being of the Elderly in Rural vs. Urban Settings

Author

Listed:
  • Manuela Alcañiz

    (Riskcenter, Department of Econometrics, Statistics and Applied Economy, Universitat de Barcelona, 08034 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Maria-Carme Riera-Prunera

    (AQR Research Group, Department of Econometrics, Statistics and Applied Economy, Universitat de Barcelona, 08034 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Aïda Solé-Auró

    (DemoSoc Research Group, Department of Political and Social Sciences, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, 08005 Barcelona, Spain)

Abstract

This study examines the influence of risk factors on mental well-being at older ages focusing on the level of rurality of the living environment. We used cross-sectional, nationally representative survey data for Catalonia (Spain) from 2015 to 2017 to explain the mental well-being of the population aged 65 years and over. Based on a sample of 2621 individuals, we created a score of current mental well-being using the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (SWEMWBS). Using logistic regression and non-parametric tests, we identified the sociodemographic, health and lifestyle variables which, in combination with the features of the rural and urban settings of the living space, were associated with poor SWEMWBS scores. Our results reveal that adequate social support is linked to expectations of good mental well-being in later life. Poor self-perceived health and ageing limitations are associated with less deterioration of the well-being for the elderly living in rural areas, whereas living in urban areas is linked to a higher risk of suffering from emotional distress attributable to economic difficulties or low educational attainment. Incentivizing older people to live in rural environments could result in greater well-being in the last stages of life; appropriate prospective studies are needed to test this positive outcome.

Suggested Citation

  • Manuela Alcañiz & Maria-Carme Riera-Prunera & Aïda Solé-Auró, 2020. "“When I Retire, I’ll Move Out of the City”: Mental Well-being of the Elderly in Rural vs. Urban Settings," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-14, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:7:p:2442-:d:341131
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Felix Requena, 2016. "Rural–Urban Living and Level of Economic Development as Factors in Subjective Well-Being," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 128(2), pages 693-708, September.
    2. Dana Anaby & William Miller & Janice Eng & Tal Jarus & Luc Noreau, 2011. "Participation and well-Being Among Older Adults Living with Chronic Conditions," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 100(1), pages 171-183, January.
    3. Walters, K. & Breeze, E. & Wilkinson, P. & Price, G.M. & Bulpitt, C.J. & Fletcher, A., 2004. "Local area deprivation and urban-rural differences in anxiety and depression among people older than 75 years in Britain," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 94(10), pages 1768-1774.
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