Effects of Environmental Factors on Engagement in Later Life

Background and Purpose: A considerable number of studies have predicted the affects of engagement on coping with health changes in later life and wellbeing (Bambrick & Bonder, 2005; Rozario et al., 2004; Stevens-Ratchford & Cebulak, 2004; Wahrendorf et al., 2006).Assessing this influence also requires consideration of demands posits by environmental factors, specially the immediate surrounding, the community and the larger socio-political context. Further, the availability, accessibility and utilization of various supportive services in the community may be indicative of engagement and health of older adults. However, there is a dearth of research focusing on environmental factors that could determine or enhance active engagement. Hence, the purpose of this study was to determine whether the availability of resources, presence of social network and perception of the community as a place to live influenced social engagement among older adults?

Methods: The study used data from Community Partnerships for Older Adults (CPOA) Program Survey of Older Adults 2002, United States. The participants included 5,298 adults between 50 and 85+ years of age. The dependent (social engagement) and predictor variables (perception of community, services available and social network) were latent variables created using different observed variables from the study. Structural equation modeling was used to test the overall conceptual model and the relationships among latent and observed variables.

Results: Among the 5,298 adults interviewed, 2442 (46.09%) are classified as vulnerable, 2641 (49.85%) as non-vulnerable and 215 (4.06%) as decision makers. The majority of the sample respondents (3826 or 72.22%) owned their own place or (1117 0r 21.08%) rented a place in the community. Further, 3199 or 68.38% of the total participants were females and at least 3005 (58.61%) of the total participants were retired or currently not-employed. Services available and perception of the community had significant negative effects on social engagement among community dwelling older adults. However, presence of social network for these older adults produced highly positively significant effects on social engagement. The paths in conceptual model imply causality and the model had a ÷2 of 706.186 (49, n = 5298, p < 0.001), a NFI of .86, a CFI of .87, an IFI of .87, and TLI of .824. The RMSEA was .05. According to Browne and Cudek (1993), an RMSEA less than .08 is considered an adequate model fit. The adequate model fit gives evidence for causality.

Discussion: The study findings suggested that perceptions of older adults about their community as a place to live, availability of supportive services in the community, such as senior center, adult day care, and transportation, etc. along with presence of social network does predicts social engagement. In conclusion, community factors need attention while designing models of engagement for older adults to enhance their physical and emotional health. Furthermore, there is a need for future research to examine the interaction of personal and environmental factors determining engagement among the seniors residing in their own communities. This could provide practioners, policy makers and researchers with a tool to enhance participation among this cohort.