Value of social activities and prerequisites for continued participation of rural older adults: A qualitative study

Psychological abuse and its influencing factors among home-dwelling older people in Northern China: a cross-sectional survey

Background

As the population ages, the subject of elder abuse has become more prominent, with psychological abuse of older people being particularly prevalent. This leads to a higher incidence of anxiety, depression, and other psychological problems among older people, reducing their quality of life, and even jeopardizing their safety.

Methods

A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate psychological abuse among home-dwelling older people in Northern China and its influencing factors. Participants were surveyed using a demographic questionnaire, activities of daily living (ADL), family adaptability and cohesion evaluation scale (FACES), and elder psychological abuse scale. The factors impacting psychological abuse were examined using binary logistic regression.

Results

A total of 465 home-dwelling older people participated in the study, with an effective response rate of 97.89%. The median item score of psychological abuse was 20 (IQR: 18-22), activities of daily living was 15 (IQR: 14-17), and family adaptability and cohesion was 96 (IQR: 86-105). Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that the factors affecting psychological abuse among home-dwelling older people were residence in rural areas (OR = 3.487, 95% CI = 2.121-5.732), monthly income ≥ 3,501 (OR = 0.342, 95% CI = 0.119-0.987), had chronic diseases (OR = 2.202, 95% CI = 1.356-3.576), and FACES (OR = 0.955, 95% CI = 0.936-0.974) were the factors that influenced the prevalence of psychological abuse.

Conclusion

In Northern China, the level of psychological abuse among older people is low. It is associated with residence, monthly income, chronic diseases, and family adaptability and cohesion. Further studies are required to understand the underlying causes and develop effective interventions to reduce psychological abuse and ensure a comfortable old life for older Chinese people.

Exploring non-linear effects of walking accessibility on well-being in rural older adults of Jintang County: a random forest analysis

Objective

The global concern surrounding the aging population has brought the well-being of older individuals to the forefront of societal attention. Unfortunately, studies focusing on the well-being of older people residing in rural areas are frequently overshadowed by the developmental disparities between rural and urban regions. Thus, this study aims to delve into the non-linear impact of walking accessibility on the subjective well-being of rural older adults. The goal is to gain a comprehensive understanding of this relationship, ultimately contributing to an improved quality of life and health for older adults in rural areas.

Methods

In this study, the Random Forest algorithm was employed to explore the non-linear effects of demographic variables, perceived safety, subjective built environment (including perceptions and preferences of the built environment), and walking accessibility on the subjective well-being of older adults.

Results

The findings of this study underscore the pivotal role of walking accessibility in influencing the well-being of older adults, particularly in terms of access to bazaars and health centers, where non-linear and threshold effects are evident. Furthermore, community safety, road conditions, and walking preferences were identified as positive influencers on the well-being of older adults. Well-being trends varied with age, revealing noteworthy non-linear relationships for certain variables.

Conclusion

The insights gained from this study provide crucial theoretical guidance for the development of policies tailored to the unique context of rural aging. By taking into account factors such as walking accessibility, community safety, health support, and social interaction, we can create an improved living environment for rural older adults, ultimately enhancing their happiness and overall quality of life.