Heterogeneous age-friendly environments among age-cohort groups

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the underlying structures of age-friendly environmental characteristics and examine how they may vary across age-cohort groups based on life satisfaction. We used regionally representative data in South Korea. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were conducted for age-friendly environmental indicators in three age-cohort groups. Regression models examined the association between the environmental factors and life satisfaction in the three age-cohort groups. Across all age groups, three factors converged: neighborhood problems, access to public services and programs, and community engagement. Regression analyses showed the three convergent environmental factors were all significantly associated with life satisfaction across all age-groups, but the association varies across the age-groups. The age-cohort based factor structures and differential patterns of association with well-being provide important background information on designing age-friendly communities.