Local environmental factors related to the well-being of older adults: multilevel analyses focusing on collective efficacy

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K01885
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 08010:Sociology-related
• Research Institution: Jissen Women's University
• Principal Investigator: HARADA Ken 実践女子大学, 人間社会学部, 教授 (40405999)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 高齢者 / 幸福感 / 地域環境 / 集合的効力感

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this study was to examine local environmental factors related to the subjective well-being of older adults, with a focus on collective efficacy (trust and expectations toward the neighborhood). Results from an internet survey of men and women aged 50 to 79 nationwide indicated that the pandemic prompted the older adults to reevaluate their connections with family, friends, and community. Participation in community groups and volunteer groups had also not returned to pre-pandemic levels. Furthermore, the pandemic imposed restrictions on leaving the house, which reminded people of the importance of their immediate neighborhood environment. The results of the data analysis also suggested that older adults living in neighborhoods with high collective efficacy tended to show a higher level of well-being.

Free Research Field

都市社会学　社会老年学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の学術的意義は、シカゴ学派都市社会学の理論的系譜に基づいて、高齢者の幸福感に影響を及ぼす近隣効果に着目した点である。特に高齢者の方が、日常生活動作障害などによって生活範囲が狭まるので、地域環境の影響を受けやすいと考えられる。さらに本研究は、地域レベルの集合的効力感と高齢者の生活満足度の関連や、地域による高齢者の孤独感の違いを示しており、幸福に老いる条件を地域環境からとらえる社会的意義を示唆している。