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Built Environment Accessibility and Disability as Predictors of Well-Being among Older Adults: A Norwegian Cross-Sectional Study

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  • Grace Katharine Forster

    (Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NTNU, NO-7047 Trondheim, Norway
    Department of Health Promotion, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, NIPH, NO-5015 Bergen, Norway
    Department of Health and Functioning, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, HVL, NO-5063 Bergen, Norway)

  • Leif Edvard Aarø

    (Department of Health Promotion, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, NIPH, NO-5015 Bergen, Norway)

  • Maria Nordheim Alme

    (Department of Health and Functioning, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, HVL, NO-5063 Bergen, Norway)

  • Thomas Hansen

    (Department of Mental Health and Suicide, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, NIPH, NO-0456 Oslo, Norway
    Centre for Welfare and Labour Research, Oslo Metropolitan University, NO-0170 Oslo, Norway
    Promenta Research Center, University of Oslo, NO-0317 Oslo, Norway)

  • Thomas Sevenius Nilsen

    (Department of Mental Health and Suicide, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, NIPH, NO-0456 Oslo, Norway
    Promenta Research Center, University of Oslo, NO-0317 Oslo, Norway)

  • Øystein Vedaa

    (Department of Health Promotion, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, NIPH, NO-5015 Bergen, Norway
    Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, UiB, NO-5015 Bergen, Norway
    Voss District Psychiatric Hospital NKS Bjørkeli, NO-5705 Voss, Norway)

Abstract

Knowledge about the influence environmental factors have on well-being is important to deliver policies supporting healthy ageing and sustainable health equity. An under-researched question is whether and how the built environment plays a role on well-being among older adults with disabilities. This study explores the relationship between built environment accessibility and disability on psychosocial well-being among older adults. Data were used from the Norwegian Counties Public Health Survey collected during February 2021 in Møre and Romsdal county ( N = 8274; age = 60–97, mean = 68.6). General linear modelling was performed to examine the relationship and interaction between built environment accessibility (services, transportation, and nature) and disability on psychosocial well-being (quality of life, thriving, loneliness, and psychological distress). Higher levels of disability and poorer accessibility were each significantly related to lower psychosocial well-being across all variables ( p < 0.001). Significant interaction effects were observed between disability and built environment accessibility on thriving ( F (8, 5936) = 4.97, p < 0.001, η 2 = 0.006) and psychological distress ( F (8, 5957) = 3.09, p = 0.002, η 2 = 0.004). No significant interaction effects were found for quality of life and loneliness. These findings indicate good built environment accessibility is associated with thriving and reduces psychological distress among older adults with disabilities. This study supports and extends previous findings on the importance of accessible and equipped environments for well-being and may aid policy makers when planning built environments to foster healthy ageing among this population group.

Suggested Citation

  • Grace Katharine Forster & Leif Edvard Aarø & Maria Nordheim Alme & Thomas Hansen & Thomas Sevenius Nilsen & Øystein Vedaa, 2023. "Built Environment Accessibility and Disability as Predictors of Well-Being among Older Adults: A Norwegian Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(10), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:10:p:5898-:d:1151889
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Thomas Hansen & Thomas Sevenius Nilsen & Marit Knapstad & Vegard Skirbekk & Jens Skogen & Øystein Vedaa & Ragnhild Bang Nes, 2022. "Covid-fatigued? A longitudinal study of Norwegian older adults’ psychosocial well-being before and during early and later stages of the COVID-19 pandemic," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 19(3), pages 463-473, September.
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    1. Gregor Wolbring & Rochelle Deloria, 2024. "Health Equity and Health Inequity of Disabled People: A Scoping Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-51, August.

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