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Urbanity, Neighbourhood Characteristics and Perceived Quality of Life (QoL): Analysis of Individual and Contextual Determinants for Perceived QoL in 3300 Postal Code Areas in Finland

Author

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  • Mikko Weckroth

    (Rural Studies, Land Use and Natural Resource Governance
    Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS), University of Helsinki)

  • Sanna Ala-Mantila

    (Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS), University of Helsinki)

  • Dimitris Ballas

    (University of Groningen)

  • Thanasis Ziogas

    (University of Groningen)

  • Jonna Ikonen

    (Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL))

Abstract

This analysis examines the geography of subjective wellbeing within a single country via a novel dataset consisting of more than 26,000 respondents embedded in 3100 postal code areas in Finland. We include a detailed indicator on the level of urbanity of the respondent’s location derived from a 250 × 250 m GIS grid, contextual measures of the postal code area´s socioeconomic status as well as proximity to the nearest urban locality and capital city. This analytical framework model makes it possible to examine both individual and contextual determinants for perceived quality of life (QoL). In addition, we include individual-level measures on mental health (Mental Health Inventory MHI-5) and satisfaction with housing and neighbourhood characteristics. The results show that when controlling for socioeconomic factors living in an inner urban area or a neighbourhood (postal code area) with a high unemployment rate are associated with lower QoL and. Also, the share of population with a tertiary education in a postal code area has a positive effect for individual QoL. However, the effects of inner urban living and unemployment rate become insignificant when including mental health indicators and perceived loneliness. In sum, the results confirm and add more detail to earlier findings on lower QoL in urban context and connect living in inner urban area to mental health indicators. As such, the analysis provides further evidence for the positive QoL effects of more rural living while having an access to health and other services.

Suggested Citation

  • Mikko Weckroth & Sanna Ala-Mantila & Dimitris Ballas & Thanasis Ziogas & Jonna Ikonen, 2022. "Urbanity, Neighbourhood Characteristics and Perceived Quality of Life (QoL): Analysis of Individual and Contextual Determinants for Perceived QoL in 3300 Postal Code Areas in Finland," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 164(1), pages 139-164, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:164:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1007_s11205-021-02835-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-021-02835-z
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    3. Laura Kemppainen & Teemu Kemppainen & Tineke Fokkema & Sirpa Wrede & Anne Kouvonen, 2023. "Neighbourhood Ethnic Density, Local Language Skills, and Loneliness among Older Migrants—A Population-Based Study on Russian Speakers in Finland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-16, January.
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    5. Phil Lignier & Diane Jarvis & Daniel Grainger & Taha Chaiechi, 2024. "How Selective Mobility, Social and Ecological Influence may Impact Geographic Variations in Life Satisfaction Scores: An Australian Longitudinal Study," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 173(3), pages 803-826, July.

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