The Effects of Age-Friendly Environment on Health Promotion Behavior Among Elderly People Living Alone: Focusing on Gender Difference

Abstract

Based on Lawton & Nahemow’s Person-Environment Fit Theory, the purpose of this study was to verify the effect of the age-friendly environmental level on health promotion behavior considering the gender characteristics of the elderly living alone. Data from 『A living-lab-based occupant-responsive housing welfare service for the elderly』were used for this study, and 477 completed survey interviews were analyzed. To identify the main predictors of age-friendly environmental levels such as physical, socio-cultural, and service environment and their effects, hierarchical multiple regression analysis was conducted. Subjective health status was higher in males than in females. Second, it was found that the better the subjective health status of the male elderly living alone, the higher the health promotion behavior. On the other hand, in the case of elderly females living alone, the higher the average monthly income, the better the subjective health status, and the higher the physical environment level, the higher the health promotion behavior. Based on the results of this study, suggestions are made for social work practice and policy for the elderly and for future studies as well.